Tumor and liver determinants of prognosis in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A case cohort study

Background and Aims:  A total of 967 patients with unresectable and untransplantable, biopsy-proven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were prospectively evaluated at baseline and followed up till death.
Methods:  Survival was the end-point for all analyses.
Results:  We found in our overall analysis, that male gender, ascites, cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or bilirubin or alkaline phosphatases were each statistically significant adverse prognostic factors. Patients with normal AFP survived longer than those with elevated AFP, in the presence of PVT, large or bilobar tumors or cirrhosis. We used a bivariate analysis to separate patient subgroups based on poor liver function and aggressive tumor characteristics. In subgroup analysis based on these subsets, there was clear discrimination in survival between subsets; in addition both cirrhosis and presence of PVT were significant, independent but modest risk factors. The results of this large dataset show that amongst nonsurgical HCC patients, there are clear subsets with longer survival than other subsets.
Conclusions:  This data also supports the concept of heterogeneity of HCC.     

Risk factors and clinical presentation of portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis is usually associated to hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical presentation of non-neoplastic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhotic patients has not been specifically studied and risk factors of PVT in this group of patients are still poorly understood. METHODS: We studied all patients with PVT and liver cirrhosis admitted to our Unit from January 1998 to December 2002. They were paired (by gender, age and Child-Pugh score) to a group of cirrhotic patients without PVT and screened for acquired and inherited thrombophilic risk factors. These factors together with the site of thrombosis and the severity of the liver disease were correlated to the clinical presentation of PVT. RESULTS: Out of a total of 701 cirrhotic patients admitted to our hospital and routinely screened with Doppler ultrasound, 79 (11.2%) were found to have PVT. Of these, 34 (43%) were asymptomatic and 45 (57%) were symptomatic (31 presented with portal hypertensive bleed and 14 with abdominal pain, 10 of whom had intestinal infarction). Mesenteric vein involvement was never asymptomatic and lead to intestinal ischemia or infarction. Most patients were in class Child-Pugh B and C. Among thrombophilic risk factors studied only the mutation 20210 of the prothrombin gene resulted independently associated to PVT. CONCLUSIONS: Portal vein thrombosis may be completely asymptomatic in patients with liver cirrhosis; however in more than half of cases presents with life-threatening complications such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage and intestinal infarction. Cirrhotic patients with PVT usually have an advanced liver disease and the presence of the mutation 20210 of the prothrombin gene increases more than fivefold the risk of PVT.     

Preoperative predictors of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative predictors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization.METHODS: In this prospective study, 69 continuous patients with portal hypertension caused by hepatitis B cirrhosis underwent splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2007 to August 2010. The portal vein flow velocity and the diameter of portal vein were measured by Doppler sonography. The hepatic congestion index and the ratio of velocity and diameter were calculated before operation. The prothrombin time (PT) and platelet (PLT) levels were measured before and after operation. The patients’ spleens were weighed postoperatively.RESULTS: The diameter of portal vein was negatively correlated with the portal vein flow velocity (P < 0.05). Thirty-three cases (47.83%) suffered from postoperative PVT. There was no statistically significant difference in the Child-Pugh score, the spleen weights, the PT, or PLT levels between patients with PVT and without PVT. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed four variables (portal vein flow velocity, the ratio of velocity and diameter, hepatic congestion index and diameter of portal vein) could be used as preoperative predictors of postoperative portal vein thrombosis. The respective values of the area under the curve were 0.865, 0.893, 0.884 and 0.742, and the respective cut-off values (24.45 cm/s, 19.4333/s, 0.1138 cm/s^-1 and 13.5 mm) were of diagnostically efficient, generating sensitivity values of 87.9%, 93.9%, 87.9% and 81.8%, respectively, specificities of 75%, 77.8%, 86.1% and 63.9%, respectively.CONCLUSION: The ratio of velocity and diameter was the most accurate preoperative predictor of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in hepatitis B cirrhosis-related portal hypertension.     

Safety and efficacy of 90Y radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with and without portal vein thrombosis

This study was undertaken to present data from a phase 2 study in which patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with and without portal vein thrombosis underwent radioembolization with Yttrium ((90)Y) microspheres. Patients treated were stratified by Okuda, Child-Pugh, baseline bilirubin, tumor burden, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), presence of cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) (none, branch, and main). Clinical and biochemical data were obtained at baseline and at 4-week intervals following treatment for up to 6 months. Tumor response was obtained using computed tomography (CT). Patients were followed for survival. One hundred eight patients were treated during the study period. Thirty-seven (34%) patients had PVT, 12 (32%) of which involved the main PV. The cumulative dose for those with and without PVT was 139.7 Gy and 131.9 Gy, respectively. The partial response rate using world Health Organization (WHO) criteria was 42.2%. Using European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), the response rate was 70%. Kaplan-Meier survival varied depending on location of PVT and presence of cirrhosis. The adverse event (AE) rates were highest in patients with main PVT and cirrhosis. There were no cases of radiation pneumonitis. Conclusion: The use of minimally embolic (90)Y glass microspheres to treat patients with HCC complicated by branch/lobar PVT may be clinically indicated and appears to have a favorable toxicity profile. Further investigation is warranted in patients with main PVT.     

肝硬化合并门静脉血栓形成的临床特点

目的分析肝硬化患者合并门静脉血栓形成(PVT)的临床特点及危险因素,了解该类患者药物性预防措施是否有效.方法 2008年1月至2011年3月各种原因的肝硬化住院患者共339例,将其分为两组,分别为肝硬化合并有门静脉血栓形成组及未合并有门静脉血栓组.记录患者年龄、性别、凝血酶原时间(PT)、总胆红素、白蛋白、肝硬化的病因...     

Acute pancreatitis complicated with transient portal venous thrombosis in one patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis

Portal venous thrombosis (PVT) is a condition associated with high morbidity. The etiologies of PVT include intra-abdominal inflammation or infection, surgical intervention, abdominal malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic carcinoma, or abnormality in coagulation caused by various reasons such as liver cirrhosis. Management of PVT should be based on its etiology and the condition of the patient. We describe a cirrhotic patient with HCC who suffered from acute pancreatitis. PVT in the main trunk was detected at admission due to the episode of acute pancreatitis. The etiology of thrombosis was considered to be inflammation around the main portal trunk caused by pancreatitis rather than cirrhosis or HCC. We did not instigate any management for the thrombosis. Acute pancreatitis was relieved after conservative treatment. Follow-up imaging study performed 46 days after detection of thrombosis showed spontaneous complete resolution of the thrombus. Our experience may provide useful information for the management of such patients.     

脾切除术与TIPS术治疗肝硬化患者门静脉血栓发生率比较*

目的 比较脾切除术与经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉内支架分流术(TIPS)治疗肝硬化患者门静脉血栓(PVT)发生率的差异。方法 2017年1月～2018年12月兰州大学第一医院诊治的肝硬化并发脾功能亢进症患者96例,其中接受脾切除者45例,接受TIPS术治疗者51例。术后随访12个月,使用腹部超声或CT或CTA检查诊断PVT。应用Kaplan-Meier法计算PVT累计发生率。结果 在术后1个月、3个月、6个月和12个月,脾切除术组PVT累计发生率分别为40.0%、46.7%、48.9%和48.9%,显著高于TIPS术组(分别为7.8%、9.8%、15.7%和21.6%,P<0.05);在接受脾切除术患者,基线指标比较发现PVT组门静脉主干直径显著大于非PVT组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);在TIPS术后1年,发生PVT患者11例(21.6%)。基线指标比较,未发现发生与未发生PVT组各指标具有统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论 在肝硬化并发脾功能亢进症患者,接受脾切除术后PVT累计发生率显著高于TIPS术。因此,术前应认真评估病情,严格掌握适应证,择优选择手术方法,并积极给予防治处理。     

肝硬化患者门静脉血栓形成危险因素的Logistic回归分析

目的研究肝硬化患者门静脉血栓（PVT）形成的相关危险因素。方法回顾性分析我院消化内科2007—2008年确诊的肝硬化患者80例,其中19例肝硬化PVT患者作为血栓组,61例肝硬化非血栓患者作为对照组,收集相关临床资料,对可能影响PVT形成的因素进行单因素分析和Logistic回归模型分析。结果Logistic回归模型分析结果显示,血浆D-二聚体、门静脉宽度（MPV）、血小板（PLT）是肝硬化患者PVT形成的独立危险因素（P值分别为0.003、0.012、0.036）。结论肝硬化患者应注意监测血浆D-二聚体、门静脉宽度、血小板等指标,以便早期预防和发现PVT的形成。     

肝硬化患者并发门静脉血栓的危险因素分析

目的 分析肝硬化患者并发门静脉血栓(PVT)的危险因素,为PVT的早诊早治提供临床依据.方法 收集2018-01～2020-12广西壮族自治区人民医院消化内科收治的170例肝硬化患者的临床病历资料,其中34例合并PVT为PVT组,另136例未合并PVT为对照组.比较两组患者在人口学资料、病因、实验室检查、影像学检查等方...     

Portal vein thrombosis： Prevalence, patient characteristics and lifetime risk： A population study based on 23796 consecutive autopsies

AIM: To assess the lifetime cumulative incidence of portal venous thrombosis (PVT) in the general population. METHODS: Between 1970 and 1982, 23 796 autopsies, representing 84% of all in-hospital deaths in the Malmo city population, were performed, using a standardised protocol including examination of the portal vein. PVT patients were characterised and the PVT prevalence at autopsy, an expression of life-time cumulative incidence, assessed in high-risk disease categories and expressed in terms of odds ratios and 95% CI. RESULTS: The population prevalence of PVT was 1.0%. Of the 254 patients with PVT 28% had cirrhosis, 23% primary and 44% secondary hepatobiliary malignancy, 10% major abdominal infectious or inflammatory disease and 3% had a myeloproliferative disorder. Patients with both cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma had the highest PVT risk, OR 17.1 (95% CI 11.1-26.4). In 14% no cause was found; only a minority of them had developed portal-hypertension-related complications. CONCLUSION: In this population-based study, PVT was found to be more common than indicated by previous clinical series. The markedly excess risk in cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma should warrant an increased awareness in these patients for whom prospective studies of directed intervention might be considered.     

Study of portal vein thrombosis in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension in Japan.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to elucidate the incidence and clinical manifestations of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) in Japan during long-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with IPH were examined for PVT by sonography during a follow-up of 12+/-6 years. Clinical manifestations and patient outcome related to PVT were studied. Seventy patients with liver cirrhosis were examined by sonography as an incidence control of thrombosis. RESULTS: Nine IPH patients had portal thrombosis (9/22, 41%), a higher incidence than in liver cirrhosis patients (7/70, 10%). Those with thrombosis showed ascites, marked hypersplenism, and low serum albumin. Four patients with thrombosis died. Patients without thrombosis showed less clinical problems after long-term follow-up. Plasma antithrombin III and protein C activity decreased in almost half of the patients. However, there were no differences in these parameters between patients with and without thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, IPH patients had a high incidence of portal thrombosis, a significant factor for poor prognosis. Whether the management of PVT contributes to an improvement of a clinical course of IPH or not should be clarified in further study.     

乙肝肝硬化患者门静脉宽度与门静脉血栓形成的关系

背景门静脉血栓(portal vein thrombosis,PVT)的早期诊断仍是临床上一个难题,急需要发现可早期预测诊断的无创指标.目的探讨门静脉宽度与PVT形成之间的关系.方法收集418例乙肝肝硬化患者.根据是否发生PVT分为PVT组(n=66)和非PVT组(n=352)组.比较两组患者的一般资料差异,使用多因素Logistic回顾分析影响PVT发生的危险因素.通过受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线评估不同危险因素预测PVT的效能.结果与非PVT组患者相比,PVT组患者的Child-Pugh评分更高、Child-Pugh A级比例更低、血小板水平更高、D-二聚体水平更高、门静脉宽度更宽、门静脉血流更慢,上述差异均存在统计学意义(P<0.05).Logistic回归显示门静脉宽度(OR=3.941,P=0.001)、门静脉血流(OR=0.841,P=0.007)、血小板水平(OR=1.024,P=0.008)和D-二聚体水平(OR=2.383,P=0.000)是肝硬化患者发生PVT的独立危险因素.门静脉宽度诊断PVT的ROC曲线下面积最大为0.874,最佳诊断值为>12.5 mm,此时的预测敏感性和特异性分别为78%和82%.结论门静脉直径增加是肝硬化患者PVT发生的危险因素,对PVT诊断具有一定价值.     

Nontumoral Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Challenging Consequence of Liver Cirrhosis

Nontumoral portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an increasingly recognized complication in patients with cirrhosis. Substantial evidence shows that portal flow stasis, complex thrombophilic disorders, and exogenous factors leading to endothelial dysfunction have emerged as key factors in the pathogenesis of PVT. The contribution of PVT to hepatic decompensation and mortality in cirrhosis is debatable; however, the presence of an advanced PVT increases operative complexity and decreases survival after transplantation. The therapeutic decision for PVT is often determined by the duration and extent of thrombosis, the presence of symptoms, and liver transplant eligibility. Evidence from several cohorts has demonstrated that anticoagulation treatment with vitamin K antagonist or low molecular weight heparin can achieve recanalization of the portal vein, which is associated with a reduction in portal hypertension-related events and improved survival in cirrhotic patients with PVT. Consequently, interest in direct oral anticoagulants for PVT is increasing, but clinical data in cirrhosis are limited. Although the most feared consequence of anticoagulation is bleeding, most studies indicate that anticoagulation therapy for PVT in cirrhosis appears relatively safe. Interestingly, the data showed that transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt represents an effective adjunctive therapy for PVT in cirrhotic patients with symptomatic portal hypertension if anticoagulation is ineffective. Insufficient evidence regarding the optimal timing, modality, and duration of therapy makes nontumoral PVT a challenging consequence of cirrhosis. In this review, we summarize the current literature and provide a potential algorithm for the management of PVT in patients with cirrhosis.     

MTHFR C677TT, PAI1 4G-4G, V Leiden Q506, and prothrombin G20210A in hepatocellular carcinoma with and without portal vein thrombosis

We studied thrombophilic genetic factors (TGFs) MTHFR C677TT, PAI1 4G-4G, V Leiden Q506, prothrombin G20210A as risk factors in 94 patients with HCC with and without portal vein thrombosis (PVT), compared with 214 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) with and without PVT and 94 healthy controls (HC). The OR (95% CI) for MTHFR C677TT with HCC was 3.85 (1.55–7.39) vs. HC. The OR for PAI1 4G-4G in HCC, was 2.87 (1.27–6.55) vs. HC. Also prothrombin G20210A was significantly more frequent among HCC, mainly in patients with PVT, while V Leiden factor was equally distributed among HCC and HC. Differences were more significant in patients with associated PVT. These findings suggest that frequently TGFs are needed for patients to be at risk of HCC and PVT. We conclude that in all patients with chronic liver disease TGF screening should be performed to individuate patients at risk of HCC and PVT.     

Portal vein thrombosis in a patient with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis complicated with antiphospholipid syndrome

We report a rare case of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. A 59-year-old woman with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was admitted because of coma. The blood test showed a typically cirrhosis pattern including an elevated serum ammonia level. Abdominal computed tomography showed liver cirrhosis and thrombus in the right branch of the portal vein. To elucidate the cause of PVT, antiphospholipid antibodies were examined. Both IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody (ELISA) and IgG anti-cardiolipin-β2 -glycoprotein I complex antibody (ELISA) were positive. When PVT is detected in a patient with cirrhosis, it might be necessary to examine antiphospholipid antibodies to clarify the cause of PVT.     

肝硬化并发门静脉血栓患者临床特征及其危险因素分析

目的 总结肝硬化并发门静脉血栓(PVT)患者的临床特征并分析PVT形成的危险因素。方法 回顾性分析2015年2月～2019年2月我院肝胆包虫科治疗的160例肝硬化患者,分析比较PVT组与未发生PVT组患者临床资料的差异,采用多因素分析发生PVT的危险因素。结果 80例PVT患者腹痛、腹水和消化道出血发生率、血小板(PLT)和白细胞(WBC)计数显著高于80例未发生PVT组(P<0.05);经多因素分析,发现PLT计数、糖尿病史和脾切除史为肝硬化并发门静脉血栓形成的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论 肝硬化并发PVT患者以HGB、PLT、WBC为主要实验室表现,以腹水、下消化道出血、肝功异常为主要临床症状。PLT、糖尿病史和脾切除史为肝硬化并发门静脉血栓的独立危险因素。     

Splanchnic and Extrasplanchnic Thrombosis in Cirrhosis: Prophylaxis vs Treatment

Venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) occur in up to 6.3 % and 15.9 % of patients with cirrhosis, respectively. There is recent evidence that a procoagulable prothrombotic state is related to cirrhosis despite the reduced levels of many coagulation factors, and decreased platelet counts. Indeed, (i) the combination of high levels of factor VIII, with low levels of protein C and antithrombin induces a procoagulant state in vitro; while (ii) increased levels of von Willebrand factor and decreased ADAMTS 13 activity can compensate for decreased platelet counts. PVT is partial in a majority of patients in whom it develops and may spontaneously resolve in some of them. Although PVT is associated with features of more severe liver disease, it is uncertain whether it plays a causal role in the decompensation of cirrhosis. In patients listed for liver transplantation, PVT may make the procedure difficult or impossible. Pre-transplant PVT is associated with increased post-transplant mortality rates. Studies evaluating clinical outcome of anticoagulation therapy for splanchnic or extrasplanchnic venous thrombosis are scarce. Anticoagulation therapy, given to patients with cirrhosis of intermediate severity before PVT occurrence, in prophylactic doses, appears to decrease decompensation and mortality rate. Interestingly, this improvement is out of proportion of the prophylaxis of extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis. The risk of bleeding does not seem to be increased in patients with cirrhosis receiving anticoagulation therapy, once prophylaxis for bleeding related to portal hypertension has been implemented. Overall, the room for anticoagulation therapy is probably larger than previously recognized, and may be of particular benefit in patients without portal vein thrombosis. However, clinical trials remain to be done before the benefit risk ratio of anticoagulation therapy is properly evaluated.     

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter selective superior mesenteric artery urokinase infusion therapy vs transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with cirrhosis and acute portal vein thrombosis

AIM To compare the outcomes of transcatheter superior mesenteric artery(SMA) urokinase infusion and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) for acute portal vein thrombosis(PVT) in cirrhosis.METHODS From January 2013 to December 2014, patients with liver cirrhosis and acute symptomatic PVT who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either an SMA group or a TIPS group. The two groups accepted transcatheter selective SMA urokinase infusion therapyand TIPS, respectively. The total follow-up time was24 mo. The primary outcome measure was the change in portal vein patency status which was evaluated by angio-computed tomography or Doppler ultrasound.Secondary outcomes were rebleeding and hepatic encephalopathy.RESULTS A total of 40 patients were enrolled, with 20 assigned to the SMA group and 20 to the TIPS group. The symptoms of all patients in the two groups improved within 48 h. PVT was improved in 17(85%) patients in the SMA group and 14(70%) patients in the TIPS group. The main portal vein(MPV) thrombosis was significantly reduced in both groups(P 0.001), and there was no significant difference between them(P= 0.304). In the SMA group, superior mesenteric vein(SMV) thrombosis and splenic vein(SV) thrombosis were significantly reduced(P = 0.048 and P = 0.02),which did not occur in the TIPS group. At 6-, 12-,and 24-mo follow-up, in the SMA group and the TIPS group, the cumulative rates free of the first episode of rebleeding were 80%, 65%, and 45% vs 90%, 80%,and 60%, respectively(P = 0.320); the cumulative rates free of the first episode of hepatic encephalopathy were 85%, 80%, and 65% vs 50%, 40%, and 35%,respectively(P = 0.022).CONCLUSION Transcatheter selective SMA urokinase infusion and TIPS are safe and effective for acute symptomatic PVT in cirrhosis.     

门静脉血栓形成对肝硬化病程发展影响

目的探讨门静脉血栓（PVT）形成对肝硬化病程的影响。方法回顾我院2003年～2011年肝硬化伴PVT形成的患者资料。18例肝硬化伴PVT形成患者人选血栓组;随机选择同阶段肝硬化门静脉高压症的无门静脉血栓形成患者19例作为对照组,比较两组患者的门静脉宽度、脾脏厚度、食管胃底静脉曲张、腹水及上消化道大出血发生等情况。结果血栓组的门静脉宽度及脾脏厚度大于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。血栓组食管胃底重度静脉曲张、上消化道大出血和大量腹水比例两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论脾肿大和门静脉增宽是PVT形成的主要危险因素,PVT形成加重门静脉高压的程度,从而增加上消化道出血几率,使腹水难以消退,增加相关并发症发生率并使相关症状加重,预防门静脉血栓形成有助于延缓肝硬化病情发展。     

Validation of an extension of the international non-invasive criteria for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the characterization of macroscopic portal vein thrombosis

Background and Aim: We aimed to validate the non‐invasive criteria for the characterization of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In a prospective study, we examined the impact of arterial hypervascularity, as established by the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recommendations for the non‐invasive diagnosis of HCC, as a criterion for characterizing macroscopic PVT (EASL/AASLD extension criteria). Methods: A total of 96 cases of PVT detected using ultrasonography in patients with cirrhosis and HCC were included in the study. When coincidental arterial hypervascularity was detected by contrast perfusional ultrasonography and helical computed tomography, the thrombus was considered malignant according to our EASL/AASLD extension criteria. In all cases, an ultrasound‐guided biopsy examination of the thrombus was performed. Results: Coincidental hypervascularity was found in 54 of 96 nodules (56.2%), and all were malignant upon biopsy (100% positive predictive value). Twenty‐four (25%) had negative results with both techniques (non‐vascular thrombus). Biopsies showed HCC in five non‐vascular thrombi (5.3% of all thrombi) and in 13 of 18 thrombi with a hypervascularity result from only one technique. Conclusions: The EASL/AASLD extension criteria for non‐invasive diagnosis of malignant thrombosis were satisfied in 75.2% of malignant thrombi; thus, a biopsy is frequently required in this setting. However, in the presence of coincidental hypervascularity of a thrombus with both techniques, a biopsy is not required (absolute positive predictive value for malignancy). Relying on imaging techniques in thrombi could miss the diagnosis of malignant portal invasion in up to 24.9% of cases.