In liver cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), which is defined as thrombosis that occurs within the main portal vein and intrahepatic portal branches, is one of the most common complications. High incidence of PVT in the setting of liver cirrhosis is mainly due to hypercoagulable state and altered dynamic of blood flow in the portal vein. The clinical manifestations of PVT are variable among different patients, so the diagnosis of PVT is mainly dependent on the imaging examinations, like ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The overall goal of treatment for PVT can be summarized as reducing risk factors of PVT, thus to prevent further expansion of thrombus and maintain portal patency and prevent and treat the symptoms of PVT by anticoagulants, local thrombolysis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and/or surgery. In future, due to the progress in vascular imaging and innovation in clinical anti-thrombotic drug, PVT could be prevented and cured effectively.
Part of the book: Management of Chronic Liver Diseases