Clinical Management of Acute Portal/Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Background

Acute thrombosis of the portal vein (PV) and/or the mesenteric vein (MV) is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease. A multitude of risk factors for acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT)/mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) have been identified, including liver cirrhosis, malignancy, coagulation disorders, intra-abdominal infection/inflammation, and postoperative condition.

Methods

This article analyses the treatment options for acute PVT/MVT.

Results

Initially, the clinical management should identify patients with an intra-abdominal focus requiring immediate surgical intervention (e.g. bowel ischaemia). Subsequently, emphasis is placed on the recanalization of the PV/MV or at least the prevention of thrombus extension to avoid long-term complications of portal hypertension. Several therapeutic options are currently available, including anticoagulation therapy, local/systemic thrombolysis, interventional or surgical thrombectomy, and a combination of these procedures. Due to the lack of prospective randomized studies, a comparison between these therapeutic approaches regarding the efficacy of PV/MV recanalization is difficult, if not impossible.

Conclusion

In patients with acute PVT/MVT, an individualized treatment based on the clinical presentation, the underlying disease, the extent of the thrombosis, and the patients' comorbidities is mandatory. Therefore, these patients should be considered for an interdisciplinary therapy in specialized centres with the option to utilise all therapeutic approaches currently available.

Introduction

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is defined as a complete or partial thrombosis of the main portal trunk that may also include the right and/or left intrahepatic portal branch. Furthermore, PVT may extend to the mesenteric (MV) and splenic veins, then being classified as thrombosis of the portal venous system. Some authors consider PVT to be acute if symptoms develop within 60 days prior to diagnosis although this is not a generally accepted definition [1,2]. In fact, others define acute PVT as symptoms occurring within 7 days prior to diagnosis and subacute PVT if symptoms last longer than 7 days [3,4]. The discrimination from chronic PVT is usually made according to signs of portal hypertension such as cavernous transformation of the portal vein (PV), development of collaterals/varices, and significant splenomegaly.

Symptoms of Acute PVT/MVT

Diagnosis of an acute PVT/mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) based on clinical findings is often challenging. Patients may be asymptomatic or may present with unspecific abdominal pain. In some cases, PVT or MVT is incidentally found during abdominal imaging that was performed for other reasons. In contrast, patients with PVT/MVT may also suffer from severe abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In particular, when the PVT extends to the mesenteric of splenic veins, an acute abdomen including bowel congestion, signs of ischaemia, and features of sepsis such as shock or multiorgan failure may occur. In patients with liver cirrhosis, acute decompensation may be a sign of acute PVT.

Diagnostic Work-Up for Acute PVT/MVT

The first step in the diagnostic work-up is a detailed evaluation of the patient's medical history. In particular, a history of thromboembolism, liver cirrhosis, coagulation disorders, malignancies (e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic cancer), intra-abdominal surgical procedures (e.g. splenectomy, colectomy), inflammatory lesion (e.g. pancreatitis, appendicitis), abdominal trauma, or use of oral contraceptives have been associated with acute PVT or MVT. So far, there are no specific laboratory tests to identify an acute PVT/MVT. Sometimes an unspecific elevation of leukocytes can be recognized. Nonetheless, in cases suspect for PVT/MVT, the initial laboratory tests should include at least infection parameters as well as liver, kidney, and basic coagulation values. The next step usually is an abdominal colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) which has a sensitivity and specificity of about 80-100% to detect PVT in most studies but might be limited in MVT (reviewed in [5]). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an additional diagnostic tool that may be useful in patients with low portal velocity [6]. Results from CDUS (and CEUS), however, are dependent on the experiences of the operator. Moreover, information about the extent of the thrombosis and the underlying disease may be limited. Therefore, further diagnostic work-up with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often needed. In particular, patients presenting with suspicious clinical findings in the abdominal examination should be considered for CT or MRI to detect intra-abdominal foci that require immediate surgical treatment (reviewed in [5]). In contrast to MRI, CT is usually faster in providing results with fewer artefacts due to patient movement and is available 24 h/day. Therefore, we suggest a CECT scan with portal and arterial phase as the imaging technique of choice.

Initial Hospital Treatment of Acute PVT/MVT

Therapy of patients with acute PVT or MVT strongly depends on their clinical presentation. In general, when the diagnosis of acute PVT/MVT is made, an immediate start of anticoagulation therapy is required. We prefer to use unfractionated heparin, aiming at a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) between 60 and 80 s due to the easier peri-interventional handling. Alternatively, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) may be used. In order to prevent extension of the thrombosis, anticoagulation therapy should also be initiated if further therapeutic procedures such as interventional recanalization or even surgery are planned. In addition, we recommend an immediate initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy since bacteraemia, e.g. from Bacteroides fragilis, is associated with PVT [7]. Sufficient pain control, replacement of fluids, and electrolytes upon acute presentation are compulsory. Naturally, patients presenting with shock or even multiorgan failure require specific therapy including treatment on the intensive care unit (ICU). The subsequent goal in patients with acute PVT/MVT is to detect clinical situations requiring immediate surgical intervention. In the case of suspicious findings during the abdominal examination or in the CT scan, e.g. signs of bowel ischaemia or perforation, an explorative laparotomy to remove the focus is mandatory. This includes potential bowel resection and, depending on the extent of the thrombosis and the intraoperative situation, surgical thrombectomy of the PV/MV. In addition, we tend to insert a lysis catheter via a MV in these patients (fig. 1). A second-look laparotomy to reassess the bowel perfusion is performed either after 24 h or on demand.

Fig. 1.

Proposed diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for patients with acute PVT/MVT.

Most patients do not present with an acute abdomen requiring immediate surgery. In these patients, therapeutic strategies in acute PVT/MVT strongly depend on the underlying disease. In general, three main groups can be defined: patients with liver cirrhosis, with malignancies, and those unrelated to cirrhosis or malignancies. The primary therapeutic aim in these patients with acute PVT/MVT is to achieve recanalization of the PV/MV or at least to prevent thrombus extension to avoid a complication of chronic PVT/MVT, e.g. the development of varices, haemorrhage, or ascites. Therapeutic options for local recanalization include anticoagulation, regional or systemic thrombolysis, thrombectomy, or a combination of these techniques. Due to the lack of prospective randomized trials, a direct comparison between these opportunities is difficult, if not impossible.

Therapy in Acute PVT

PVT in Liver Cirrhosis

PVT is a frequent problem in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. The definition of the ‘age’ of a PVT may be difficult in these patients since common features of chronic PVT (collateral circulation, portal hypertension) are also a part of liver disease [8]. In addition, PVT in liver cirrhosis might be associated with HCC; therefore, an intensive search for HCC has to be performed. However, the presence of acute PVT in patients with liver cirrhosis clearly increases the risk of variceal bleeding and may also lead to a life-threatening emergency when it extents to the MVs (reviewed in [9]). So far, no randomized controlled trials have been performed to evaluate the best treatment strategy for acute PVT in liver cirrhosis. Several reports indicate that anticoagulation provides a good chance for recanalization even in concomitant liver cirrhosis [10,11,12]. In particular, a complete or partial recanalization rate of 30-60% has been reported for either vitamin K antagonists or the use of LMWH [9,10,11]. Although reports are promising, only very limited patient numbers were included; therefore, a general recommendation is critical. One might be aware of the potential problems of anticoagulation therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis such as aggravation of variceal bleeding, problems with international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring with vitamin K antagonists, and accumulation of LMWH in patients with impaired kidney function. Nonetheless, whenever possible the use of anticoagulation therapy should be initiated even in patients with concomitant liver cirrhosis.

Furthermore, interventional recanalization might be considered in patients with liver cirrhosis. In particular, if decompensation of liver cirrhosis is the clinical sign of acute PVT, the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in combination with anticoagulation therapy and/or thrombectomy provides a good chance for recanalization, recompensation, and reduction of the complications of portal hypertension [12]. This is of particular importance for patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. Although PVT is usually not considered as a contraindication for transplantation, pre-existing PVT is an independent prognostic marker for post-transplant survival and increases the risk for recurrent thrombosis and re-transplantation [13,14]. Therefore, interventional PV recanalization might also help to improve post-transplant outcome. Finally, if interventional recanalization via TIPS is not possible, surgical portocaval shunt procedures remain an option in selected patients. In summary, anticoagulation in combination with interventional recanalization is our therapy of choice in patients with acute PVT in liver cirrhosis (fig. 1).

PVT in Malignancies

Malignancies leading to acute PVT are mainly located in the hepato-pancreato-biliary system, and therapeutic strategies have to take the potentially limited prognosis into consideration. Moreover, differentiation of tumour infiltration into PV branches and a ‘real’ PVT might be difficult especially in patients suffering from HCC. In the case of a resectable disease, surgical therapy including PV resection and reconstruction is the treatment of choice. A recent analysis by Chok et al. [15] showed that resection of the PV bifurcation and even tumour thrombectomy might be performed with acceptable results in patients with HCC although not all PVTs were acute in this publication. Resection of the PV in pancreatic cancer is rarely performed because of PVT but rather due to tumour infiltration or compression. However, most patients with acute PVT and malignant disease present in an irresectable stage. In the absence of contraindications such as bleeding from the tumour, anticoagulation therapy should be initiated as the treatment of choice. In symptomatic PVT or impending closure of the PV, interventional treatment, e.g. stent implantation, might be considered [16] (fig. 1).

PVT Unrelated to Cirrhosis or Malignancies

A multitude of factors may lead to PVT in patients without cirrhosis or malignancies. In particular, diseases and conditions such as inflammation (e.g. pancreatitis), infections (e.g. B. fragilis), surgical intervention (e.g. splenectomy, liver transplantation), coagulation disorders (e.g. prothrombin gene mutation, factor V Leiden mutation), oral contraceptive use, or blunt abdominal trauma have been associated with acute PVT. To date, anticoagulation is the commonly chosen treatment mostly due to concerns over complications such as bleeding. Results from a prospective multicentre study using heparin followed by oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (INR between 2 and 3) showed a recanalization rate of the main portal trunk and its left or right branch in 39% [17]. This is in line with earlier results that were summarized by Hall et al. [18], showing a complete and partial recanalization rate of 38.3 and 14%, respectively, in the patients upon anticoagulation. In patients with symptomatic acute PVT but without signs of bowel ischaemia, more aggressive therapeutic intervention might be required. One option is the administration of local or systemic thrombolytic therapy. Several agents (recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA), urokinase, streptokinase) and routes of administration (intravenous, via superior mesenteric artery, or via transhepatic or transjugular application to the PV) have been reported [19,20]. A summary of 13 articles showed 40% complete and 45% partial recanalization of the PV upon thrombolysis although four of these reports also included local thrombectomy [18]. However, these reports may suffer from a strong selection bias since thrombolytic therapy was initiated mostly after anticoagulation treatment had failed. Complications, in particular bleeding, are described in up to 60% of the patients [21]. Mechanical thrombectomy via a transhepatic or transjugular approach is another therapeutic option which is often applied in combination with local thrombolysis. It has the advantage of rapid removal of the thrombus in acute PVT. Initial recanalization rates are promising although the local vascular trauma may promote recurrent thrombosis [18,22,23,24]. Surgical thrombectomy is performed only if the patient undergoes laparotomy for acute abdomen or intestinal ischaemia.

Being faced with the long-term complications of portal hypertension, we prefer a more aggressive strategy including interventional recanalization and also applying surgery in selected patients with PVT unrelated to cirrhosis or malignancy. In general, systemic anticoagulation therapy is applied to asymptomatic patients with partial thrombosis (fig. 2). In the case of symptomatic thrombosis, an interventional therapy (thrombectomy and thrombolysis) is performed. If the latter is not possible in symptomatic patients or any sign for bowel ischaemia exists, we prefer an explorative laparotomy including intraoperative thrombectomy and local lysis therapy (fig. 1).

Fig. 2.

a Intrahepatic thrombosis of the right portal branch after laparoscopic colectomy (red arrow). b The left portal branch is still patent (yellow arrow). Therapeutic anticoagulation was initiated.

Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis

The clinical presentation of patients with MVT is similar to that of PVT. Furthermore, the risk factors for the development of MVT are almost the same as for PVT, including prothrombotic states, thrombophilia, malignancies, intra-abdominal infections, and postoperative condition. Abdominal CECT is the diagnostic tool of choice. Similar to the management of acute PVT, evidence of bowel ischaemia, perforation, or peritonitis in MVT should lead to immediate surgical exploration. In addition, unfractionated heparin should be administered as soon as the diagnosis is made in order to prevent an extension of the thrombosis. Intraoperative assessment of bowel viability is mandatory, and evaluation of the patency of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is necessary. If the SMV is occluded, thrombectomy should be performed, and local thrombolysis can be undertaken via a transmesenterically inserted catheter (fig. 3). Second-look laparotomy for the reassessment of bowel viability is optional. In patients without acute abdomen upon initial presentation, an immediate initiation of anticoagulation therapy is also recommended. Interventional thrombectomy and thrombolysis might be considered depending on the extent of thrombosis and the clinical presentation. However, evidence for the efficacy of thrombectomy and thrombolysis is limited to case reports and small retrospective series [21]. Finally, close clinical monitoring of patients with MVT, including assessment of symptoms, control of laboratory parameters, and, if necessary, repeated CT scans, is mandatory to identify those developing secondary bowel infarction.

Fig. 3.

Patient with acute MVT presenting with acute abdomen and bleeding from the proximal jejunum. a CT scan shows the MVT (red arrow) and partial thrombosis of the right intrahepatic portal branch. b Intraoperative evaluation of the bowel showed the need for bowel resection due to haemorrhage infarction of the proximal jejunum. In addition, a lysis catheter was inserted into the mesenteric vein. c CT scan 2 days after the initial operation showed the lysis catheter in the MV (red arrow) and confirmed patency of both intrahepatic portal branches (yellow arrows). d Patency of both intrahepatic portal branches at follow-up examination after 6 months (yellow arrows).

Occlusion of the Portal Venous System

PVT and MVT can occur alone or as a combination of both. The latter is of particular importance since it increases the risk for bowel ischaemia. Therapeutic options used by most clinicians are basically the same as for PVT and MVT. We have recently described a novel strategy for patients with acute PVT encompassing the intrahepatic branches and the SMV [4]. This includes a surgical thrombectomy via infrapancreatic venotomy of the SMV followed by intraoperative antegrade and retrograde radiologic thrombectomy via the same approach. In the case of remnant thrombotic material, local thrombolysis can be administered via a catheter placed in a MV. Follow-up after a median of 9 months showed perfusion of the main portal trunk and at least one intrahepatic branch in 4 out of 5 patients. Although this strategy is associated with significant acute complications, it remains an option for patients with thrombosis of the portal venous system not being accessible for interventional recanalization.

Diagnostics for Coagulation Disorders

The initial diagnostic efforts should also be focused on the identification of local disease such as cirrhosis, malignancies, and abdominal sepsis as a cause for acute PVT or MVT. However, acute thrombosis of the PV/MV is often multifactorial, and identification of thrombophilic conditions might have therapeutic consequences for the duration of anticoagulation even in the presence of a local factor. A multitude of thrombophilic and prothrombotic conditions have been described in the literature (table 1). Among them, factor V Leiden mutations and myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) are most commonly associated with PVT/MVT. In particular, presence of the JAK2 mutation JAK2V617F has an odds ratio exceeding 50 for acute PVT; therefore, PVT may be the first manifestation of MPD [25]. In patients with cirrhosis, prothrombin gene mutation (G20210A) has often been reported although its role in acute PVT without cirrhosis is less clear [26]. Similarly, protein S, protein C, and antithrombin III deficiency have been reported in PVT/MVT but their role remains unclear since serum levels might also be altered by liver injury in acute PVT/MVT [19]. Hence, the timing of diagnostics for coagulation disorders is important. Mutation analyses can be initiated immediately after the diagnosis of acute PVT/MVT is made, whereas other analyses, e.g. for protein S/C deficiency, should be performed at a certain interval after the initial thrombotic event. Although these tests are very cost-intensive, we perform a complete search for coagulation disorders in all patients with PVT/MVT without underlying cirrhosis or malignancy. Nonetheless, due to the complexity of the topic, a close cooperation with specialists in haemostaseology is highly recommended.

Table 1.

Coagulation disorders associated with acute PVT/MVT (summarized in [1, 3, 19, 27])

Inherited

Protein S deficiency

Protein C deficiency

Antithrombin III deficiency

Prothrombin 20210 gene mutation

Factor V Leiden mutation

Acquired

Myeloproliferative disorders (polycythaemia vera, myelofibrosis, thrombocythaemia), JAK2 mutation (V617F)

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)

Antiphospholipid syndrome

Hyperhomocysteinaemia

Increased factor VIII levels

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) gene mutation

Duration of Anticoagulation and Follow-Up

Irrespective of the underlying disease and the chosen therapy, anticoagulation treatment should be administered to all patients after acute PVT/MVT. In fact, recanalization of the PV may occur up to 6 months after the initial event. Furthermore, re-thrombosis is a serious problem even after complete PV/MV recanalization. However, there is currently no consensus on the duration and medication of anticoagulation. In general, 3-6 months of anticoagulation therapy is proposed by most authors [1,19]. Whether this also holds true for patients with liver cirrhosis is not clear so far [9]. In the case of hypercoagulopathy, a lifelong anticoagulation is usually recommended. Anticoagulation therapy during the hospital stay is mostly performed with intravenous unfractionated heparin or LMWH. Subsequent transition to oral vitamin K antagonists with a target INR of 2-3 is described in most studies [1,3]. Timing and duration of follow-up examinations are also controversial. We tend to see the patients either in the surgical or in the specialized coagulation outpatient clinic every 3 months for up to 1 year at least. Depending on the localization and the extent of the thrombosis, CDUS (or CEUS) is used to assess patency. In the case of unclear results or recurrent symptoms, a CECT is performed.

Conclusion

Management of acute PVT or MVT (or both) is complex due to the lack of evidence-based therapeutic algorithms. A close cooperation between surgery, internal medicine, and radiology is important not only to prevent potentially lethal consequences of acute PVT/MVT but also to avoid the complications of chronic PVT such as portal hypertension and variceal haemorrhage. In conclusion, patients with acute PVT/MVT should be treated in specialized centres.

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.