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Portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotics: related with anticardiolipin antibodies?

Gürol Oksüzoglu1, Yusuf Bayraktar, Serap Arslan

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. gast@bayindirtip.com.tr

Hepato-Gastroenterology
|October 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Antiphospholipid antibodies, including anticardiolipin antibodies, were significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients who developed portal vein thrombosis. These findings suggest a potential role for antiphospholipid antibodies in the pathogenesis of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Thrombosis Research

Background:

  • Cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for portal vein thrombosis (PVT).
  • The role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in PVT development among cirrhotic patients remains unclear.
  • This study investigates the association between specific aPL and PVT in cirrhosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationship between antiphospholipid antibodies and portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis.
  • To compare aPL levels in cirrhotics with and without PVT against healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Enrolled three groups: cirrhotics without PVT (Group I), cirrhotics with PVT (Group II), and healthy controls (Group III).
  • Measured anticardiolipin IgG and IgM antibody concentrations using ELISA and lupus anticoagulant using clotting assays.
  • Analyzed correlations between aPL and clinical factors in cirrhotic patients.

Main Results:

  • Anticardiolipin IgG and IgM concentrations were significantly higher in cirrhotics with PVT (Group II) compared to those without PVT (Group I) and healthy controls (Group III).
  • Elevated anticardiolipin IgG, IgM, or both were found in a higher percentage of patients in Group II (55.55% IgG, 72.22% IgM) versus Group I (27.27% IgG, 27.27% IgM).
  • No significant correlation was found between aPL and clinical factors like prior surgery, Child groups, sex, or etiology of cirrhosis.

Conclusions:

  • Anticardiolipin antibody concentrations are significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients who have developed portal vein thrombosis.
  • Antiphospholipid antibodies may contribute to the development of portal vein thrombosis in the context of cirrhosis.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking aPL and PVT in liver disease.
Abstract

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