Research progress on anticoagulant therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with portal vein thrombosis
- VernacularTitle:肝硬化合并门静脉血栓形成患者的抗凝治疗研究进展
- Author:
Wei GONG
1
;
Yun LI
1
Author Information
1. Dept. of Pharmacy，First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University，Jiangsu Suzhou 215000，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
liver cirrhosis;
portal vein thrombosis;
anticoagulant therapy;
abnormal coagulation function;
bleeding risk
- From:
China Pharmacy
2026;37(4):533-539
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Portal vein thrombosis （PVT） is a common and severe complication of liver cirrhosis. Anticoagulant therapy for PVT in these patients is particularly challenging due to the coexistence of abnormal coagulation function and bleeding risk. This article reviews recent research findings， domestic and international guidelines， and expert consensus regarding anticoagulant therapy for liver cirrhosis complicated by PVT. The review focuses on four key aspects: the underlying causes of the high incidence of PVT， its clinical manifestations and diagnosis， anticoagulant treatment decision-making （including determining indications， timing， and course selection）， and rational drug use. The evidence indicates that the high incidence of PVT in patients with liver cirrhosis results from the interplay of multiple factors. Currently， portal venous stasis， a systemic hypercoagulable state， and vascular endothelial damage are widely recognized as the three primary risk factors for PVT formation. The clinical manifestations of liver cirrhosis complicated by PVT are diverse，diagnosis requires comprehensive evaluation based on clinical context， imaging examination， and laboratory tests， with imaging examination as the cornerstone. Anticoagulant therapy can significantly improve the thrombus recanalization rate in PVT， reduce the risk of thrombus progression， and does not increase the risk of portal hypertension-related bleeding. Regarding treatment timing， initiating anticoagulation within six months of diagnosis， particularly within two weeks， can significantly enhance the recanalization rate. Commonly used anticoagulants in clinical practice for liver cirrhosis with PVT include heparins， vitamin K antagonists （VKAs）， and direct oral anticoagulants （DOACs）. Among these， substantial evidence supports low-molecular-weight heparin as a first-line agent. DOACs have demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis and PVT； however， their use in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and PVT warrants extra caution. A treatment duration of at least six months is generally recommended. Long-term anticoagulation should be considered for patients with liver cirrhosis and PVT who have mesenteric vein involvement， are awaiting liver transplantation， or have an inherited thrombophilia.
