Case Report: First attempt by off-label use of tenecteplase to treat acute extensive portal venous system thrombosis.

Acute extensive portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) can cause lethal complications. Herein, we have for the first time reported the use of anticoagulation combined with systemic thrombolysis by tenecteplase in a male patient with a diagnosis of acute extensive PVST but without liver cirrhosis. After thrombolytic therapy, abdominal pain obviously alleviated. However, urinary bleeding developed, which was reversible by stopping thrombolytic drugs. Finally, this case developed cavernous transformation of the portal vein without portal venous recanalization. In future, the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase should be explored in acute extensive PVST cases.

Association of C-type lectin-like receptor 2 and galectin-1 with portal vein system thrombosis in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.

Background and aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis. Portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) is a major complication of liver cirrhosis. Recently, it has been shown that C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2) and galectin-1 participate in the activation and aggregation of platelets, thereby promoting the development of thrombosis. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the association of serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels with PVST in patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis. Methods: Overall, 65 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis were included, of whom 23 had PVST and 42 did not have. Serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. PVST was assessed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the degree and location of PVST. Results: Patients with PVST had significantly higher serum CLEC-2 (p = 0.006) and galectin-1 (p = 0.009) levels than those without. Patients with partial/complete PVST or fibrotic cord (p = 0.007; p = 0.002), but not those with mural PVST (p = 0.199; p = 0.797), had significantly higher serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels than those without PVST. Patients with superior mesenteric vein thrombosis had significantly higher serum CLEC-2 (p = 0.013) and galectin-1 (p = 0.025) levels than those without PVST. Patients with main portal vein thrombosis had higher serum CLEC-2 (p = 0.020) and galectin-1 (p = 0.066) levels than those without PVST, but the difference in serum galectin-1 level was not significant between them. Conclusion: Serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels may be associated with the presence of PVST in HBV-related cirrhotic patients, but this association should be dependent upon the degree of PVST.

Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm in which the acute thrombogenic process triggered by trauma confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography: a case report.

Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm (PVA) is a rare condition in which the extrahepatic portal vein is partially dilated into a sac-like or spindle-like shape. Usually, patients are followed, but surgery is considered in cases of rupture, thrombus, or enlargement. We report a case of thrombus formation in an extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm following trauma that resulted in regression of the aneurysm and extrahepatic portal vein occlusion. Immediately after the trauma, ultrasonography showed moderately hyperechoic structures and comet signs along the vessel wall of the aneurysm and turbulent blood flow in the aneurysm, like in a whirlpool. There were floating point-like echogenic features, which were presumed to be microthrombi. In other words, the trauma might have triggered Virchow's triad: changes in the vessel wall, changes in blood properties, and blood stagnation. This is a valuable case in which ultrasonography imaging revealed interesting changes during the thrombus formation process inside an extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm. The aneurysm's size was reduced by thrombus-induced organization, but the main trunk of the portal vein became deficient in blood flow, resulting in extrahepatic portal vein occlusion. This case is suggestive of the mechanism of extrahepatic portal vein occlusion.

Splenic Vein Diameter is a Risk Factor for the Portal Venous System Thrombosis After Partial Splenic Artery Embolization.

PURPOSE: Portal venous system thrombosis is a complication of partial splenic artery embolization, and pre-treatment risk assessment is thus important. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for portal venous system thrombosis after partial splenic artery embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 67 consecutive patients who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography before and after first partial splenic artery embolization between July 2007 and October 2018. As risk factors, we investigated age, sex, hematological data, liver function, steroid use, heparin use, and findings from pre- and post-treatment computed tomography. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between thrombus appearance or growth and these factors. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Partial splenic artery embolization was technically successful in all 67 patients. Nine patients showed appearance or growth of thrombus. Univariate analysis showed maximum diameter of the splenic vein before treatment (p = 0.0076), percentage of infarcted spleen (p = 0.017), and volume of infarcted spleen (p = 0.022) as significant risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed significant differences in maximum diameter of the splenic vein before treatment (p = 0.041) and percentage of infarcted spleen (p = 0.023). According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, cutoffs for maximum diameter of the splenic vein and percentage of infarcted spleen for distinguishing the appearance or growth of thrombus were 17 mm and 58.2%. CONCLUSION: Large maximum diameter of the splenic vein before partial splenic artery embolization and high percentage of infarcted spleen after partial splenic artery embolization were identified as risk factors for portal venous system thrombosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, Case Series.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Portal Venous System Thrombosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at risk of developing portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) with worse outcomes. This study aims to explore the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of PVST among patients with IBD. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. All the eligible studies were divided according to the history of colorectal surgery. Only the prevalence of PVST in patients with IBD was pooled if the history of colorectal surgery was unclear. The incidence of PVST in patients with IBD after colorectal surgery was pooled if the history of colorectal surgery was clear. Prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of PVST were pooled by only a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed in patients undergoing imaging examinations. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 36 studies with 143,659 patients with IBD were included. Among the studies where the history of colorectal surgery was unclear, the prevalence of PVST was 0.99, 1.45, and 0.40% in ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), and unclassified IBD, respectively. Among the studies where all the patients underwent colorectal surgery, the incidence of PVST was 6.95, 2.55, and 3.95% in UC, CD, and unclassified IBD after colorectal surgery, respectively. Both the prevalence and incidence of PVST became higher in patients with IBD undergoing imaging examinations. Preoperative corticosteroids therapy (OR = 3.112, 95% CI: 1.017-9.525; p = 0.047) and urgent surgery (OR = 1.799, 95% CI: 1.079-2.998; p = 0.024) are significant risk factors of PVST in patients with IBD after colorectal surgery. The mortality of patients with IBD with PVST after colorectal surgery was 4.31% (34/789). CONCLUSION: PVST is not rare, but potentially lethal in patients with IBD after colorectal surgery. More severe IBD, indicated by preoperative corticosteroids and urgent surgery, is associated with a higher risk of PVST after colorectal surgery. Therefore, screening for PVST by imaging examinations and antithrombotic prophylaxis in high-risk patients should be actively considered. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Registered on PROSPERO, Identifier: CRD42020159579.

What intervention regimen is most effective prevention for Portal venous system thrombosis after splenectomy in cirrhotics patients with Portal hypertension? Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) is a life-threatening complication after splenectomy in cirrhotics patients with portal hypertension, while the application of intervention regimen may prevent the incidence of PVST. The aim of this network meta-analysis was to determine the most appropriate intervention regimen and application time. Several electronic databases were searched up to December 2019. We estimated summary odds ratios (OR) using pairwise and network meta-analyses with random effects for the outcome of occurrence of PVST. This work was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019161406). The analysis was based on 19 researches, which included 1853 patients. The results drawn from the data in standard meta-analysis indicated that the application of intervention was better than no intervention use, and early application of interventions was better than delayed application in preventing the occurrence of PVST. Subsequent network meta-analysis was performed to determine the most suitable intervention regimen used early post-operation. For separate mono-therapy drug, alprostadil, antithrombin III, low molecular dextran were significantly more efficacious than others. However, mono-therapy analysis was not so close to clinical application. In the follow-up network meta-analysis, low molecular dextran combined with low molecular weight heparin exhibited the largest effect on the preventing the incidence of PVST (0.12, 0.03-0.49), followed by antithrombin III (0.12, 0.04-0.41) with low molecular dextran (0.14, 0.05-0.41). We could draw the conclusion that early application of low molecular weight heparin combined with low molecular dextran seems to be the most satisfactory treatment to prevent the incidence of PVST for patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension after splenectomy.

[Clinical features and risk factors of portal vein thrombosis in 28 patients with antiphospholipid syndrome].

Objective: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare and severe clinical manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), as well as a predictor of poor prognosis. This study was conducted to explore the clinical features and risk factors of PVT in APS patients. Methods: A total of 123 APS patients diagnosed from 2012 to 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. The diagnosis of PVT was made according to the 2009 American College of Liver Diseases (AASLD) criteria. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. A multivariate (MV) logistic regression model was constructed using a stepwise forward selection procedure among those candidate univariables with P values<0.10. Results: A total of 28 cases with PVT, and 95 control cases without PVT were finally enrolled.The 28 APS-PVT patients included 5 males and 23 females with age range from 17 to 63 years. Clinical manifestations included acute thrombosis in 8 patients, chronic thrombosis in 16, and 4 with portal vein spongiform. As to the involved vessels, single portal vein thrombosis was seen in 20 patients, portal combined with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and splenic vein in one patient, portal plus SMV in 4 and only SMV in 3 patients. Other manifestations were portal hypertension (16/28), esophageal varices (13/28), spleen infarction (7/28) and gastrointestinal bleeding (4/28). Two antiphospholipid antibodies were positive in 13 cases. Triple positive antibodies were seen in 7 cases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disease duration less than 0.5 years (OR=72.74, 95%CI 7.50-705.45, P<0.001), hypoalbuminemia (OR=356.45, 95%CI 19.19-6 620.14, P<0.001), and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)/C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR=14.41, 95%CI 1.49-139.20, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for PVT in APS. Conclusion: PVT is usually misdiagnosed due to insidious onset. Short disease duration, hypoalbuminemia and elevated ESR/CRP are risk factors for PVT in APS. Better understanding, early diagnosis and treatment will improve the clinical outcome.

Effective Prevention for Portal Venous System Thrombosis After Splenectomy: A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication of splenectomy for portal hypertension due to cirrhosis. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted to study the necessity of pharmacologic prophylaxis of PVST after splenectomy and how to select the feasible treatment method. Articles were searched through the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, and CNKI. RESULTS: Overall, 404 articles were initially identified, and 11 of them were eligible. Among these selected articles, 7 articles were associated with the necessity of anticoagulation for prevention of PVST, while 5 were about the drug selection. We first demonstrated that the incidence of PVST after splenectomy was significantly lower in patients who received the preventive measures than in those who did not (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13-0.39, P < .00001). Then, we compared the new-style treatment with the conventional treatment and found that patients with new therapy method had lower incidence of PVST than those who received conventional treatment (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.27-0.51, P < .00001). Also, some studies (n = 4) reported that early and combination use of anticoagulation drugs can lead to better outcome for patients with splenectomy and devascularization. CONCLUSION: Preventative use of anticoagulant drugs might decrease the incidence of PVST after splenectomy in patients with portal hypertension, new anticoagulant drugs such as low-molecular-weight heparin should be used, and early or combination use of anticoagulation drugs might lead to lower PVST incidence for patients.

Predictive model of portal venous system thrombosis in cirrhotic portal hypertensive patients after splenectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study is to investigate the risk factors of portal venous system thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension after splenectomy and to establish a Logistic regression prediction model. METHODS: A total of 119 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were enrolled. Their clinical data was retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into PVT group (n = 18) and non-PVT group (n = 101). One-way analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the independent risk factors of PVT. Logistic regression prediction model was established. The receiver operating characteristic curve was generated and correlation analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and D-Dimer were independent risk factors affecting PVT. Anticoagulation therapy (UAT) and usage of reducing portal pressure therapy (URPT) were independent protective factors of PVT. Logistic regression prediction model was expressed as Logit P = -9.165 + 0.664 × PLT (× 10(11)/L) + 0.413 × MPV (fL) + 0.662 × D-Dimer (mg/L) -1.674 × UAT (Yes = 1, No = 0) -1.518 × URPT (Yes = 1, No = 0). And, the cut-off value of Logit P was -1.14. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the accuracy were 0.865 and 84.03%. The cut-off value of PLT, MPV and D-Dimer were 4.42 × 10(11)/L, 13.30 fL and 2.55 mg/L, respectively. MPV and D-Dimer were positively correlated. CONCLUSION: PLT, MPV and D-Dimer are independent risk factors while UAT and URPT are independent protective factors of PVT. Logistic regression prediction model can predict PVT with a high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. It provides theoretical foundation and cut-off value for predicting PVT after splenectomy.