OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors associated with persistent thrombocytopenia after liver transplantation (LT), and to explore effective measures for prevention.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-eight adult patients, who received liver transplantation in our hospital between January 2009 and June 2012 and met the inclusive criteria, were enrolled in the study. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, including pre-LT spleen volume, main portal vein size, coronary vein size, platelet and white blood cell levels, total bilirubin level and model of end stage liver disease score. The risk factors associated with persistent thrombocytopenia after LT were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. The effect of simultaneous splenic artery coarctation for high risk patients was evaluated with χ2 test.

RESULTSLogistic regression analysis showed that per-LT spleen volume larger than 500 ml (P = 0.012, OR=2.789, 95%CI: 1.249-6.227) and portal vein size beyond 15 mm (P = 0.017, OR = 3.124, 95%CI: 1.230-7.933) were independent risk factors for persistent thrombocytopenia after LT. The incidence rate of persistent thrombocytopenia after LT in patients with or without simultaneous splenic artery coarctation were 16.7% (1/6) and 66.7% (32/48), respectively(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSpleen volume larger than 500 ml and portal vein size beyond 15 mm are risk factors for persistent thrombocytopenia after LT. Simultaneous splenic artery coarctation may reduce the occurrence of persistent thrombocytopenia after LT.