Portal Vein Thrombosis

Portal vein is a vital component that carries blood from the abdomen and the intestine to the liver. The portal vein is a large vein that is formulated when the splenic and the superior mesenteric vein unite. The veins are situated behind the pancreatic head. In ailments that relate to the hepatic nerve and cause the portal vein thrombosis, it then starts at the intrahapatical portal vein and gradually extends towards the extrahepatic portal vein, whereas in certain other causatives, the process of thrombosis begins at the origin of the portal vein.

Causes of Portal Vein Thrombosis

Sometimes, disorders associated with the clotting of blood are acquired or inherited. It results in problems such as an enlarged liver or severe abdominal pain. Acquired disorders are anti thrombin III deficiency that leads to malnutrition and sepsis disturbed bowel movements and liver disease that may be fatal. Inherited disorders such as distinct variations in the prothrombin gene G20210A accompanied by deficiencies in activated protein C resistance and protein S.

Another major cause of portal vein thrombosis is called Stasis. The blood flow is obstructed due to cirrhosis and is one of the major causes of the venous thrombosis. The enlargement of veins that connect the intestine to the esophagus is termed to be a major cause as well. Sclerotherepy is bracketed to be the most effective mechanism, though not completely proven. A tumor compression and infections can also lead to portal vein thrombosis. Infections can be another major category for portal vein thrombosis. The obstruction that is caused does not adversely affect the functioning of the liver. The portal vein thrombosis can, in fact, occur and affect an individual who is inflicted by a liver disease such as cirrhosis. Collaterals are formed after an acute thrombosis has occurred, though the formation takes around 5 weeks, it is described to have taken shape in 12 days in certain peculiar cases. The formation of collaterals further complicate matters as it leads to an increased risk factor of developing variceal hemorrhage. This is one of the most vulnerable causative of portal vein thrombosis.

Symptoms of Portal Vein Thrombosis

Here is a list of symptoms of portal vein thrombosis.

• Enlarged spleen
• Enlarged abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Blood in stool
• Vomiting
• Portal hypertension

Treatment for Portal Vein Thrombosis

• Treatment for portal vein thrombosis is anticoagulation of the hepatic portal vein in acute cases. This treatment is meant especially for those who have inherent coagulation troubles, making the disorder susceptible to recur. Thus, by following this treatment, re-thrombosis may be prevented. A life long anticoagulation or anti-clotting treatment should be undertaken in order to prevent any disorder that lead to clotting blood. Anticoagulation therapy is a must to prevent re-thrombosis.
• Thrombolysis is another portal vein thrombosis treatment or rather an approach that is highly recommended in cases of acute portal vein thrombosis. The method of trans - hepatic route is adopted in order to discard the need of systemic thrombosis.
• Performing a shunt surgery is also an alternative to anti coagulation therapy that could be adopted to deal with acute hepatic portal vein thrombosis.
• An anti coagulation therapy can be carried out when accompanied with a Tissue - type plasminogen activator. This is a line of treatment that could serve to be a lucrative alternative to dealing with hepatic portal vein thrombosis.
• The method referred to as TIPS is a successful method in countering hepatic portal vein thrombosis. When the variceal bleeding becomes an uncontrollable entity in the patient who has contracted liver cirrhosis, TIPS is suggested and administered. A stent placement followed by angioplasty of the tract is performed. TIPS is said to be comparatively less invasive than shunt surgery.

Consult a surgeon or an expert in the said authority before considering any treatment. Health is indeed, wealth and we need to take care of it. We don't thrive on sheer neglect, but complete care!