The analysis of portal vein thrombosis following orthotopic liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and summarize the experience in clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of portal vein thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: The clinical data of 402 patients who underwent OLT from January 2003 to February 2007 were reviewed. A retrospective study was performed on etiology, prognosis and treatment in 9 cases of portal vein thrombosis after OLT. RESULTS: All of the 9 cases received anticoagulant and antiaggregation therapy, within whom one underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement, one underwent retransplantation after failure of thrombolysis therapy, and one received surgical embolectomy. Six patients died of multiple organ failure on 9th, 30th, 34th, 40th, 48th, 6 2nd days, respectively, while 3 patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: The major risk factors of portal vein thrombosis after OLT were pathological changes in portal vein, abnormal blood stream dynamics, hypercoagulable status and improper surgical technique. Prophylactic intervention to patients with high risk factors, early diagnosis and aggressive comprehensive therapy on portal vein thrombosis patients are essential to improve prognosis.