Thrombocytopenia in liver cirrhosis

To examine the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia associated with liver cirrhosis, the platelet count, spleen size and serum cholinesterase levels were measured together with plasma concentration of beta-thromboglobulin, fibrinopeptide A and serum albumin in 38 patients with histologically proven, severe but stable liver cirrhosis. The spleen size contributed most significantly to thrombocytopenia in this disorder and the serum cholinesterase level also correlated with the platelet count, both in decompensated and compensated liver cirrhosis. Plasma beta-thromboglobulin, serum fibrinopeptide A levels and serum albumin did not correlate with the platelet count. These findings indicate that disseminated intravascular coagulation is not likely to be the cause of thrombocytopenia in liver cirrhosis. Splenomegaly as well as the diminished protein synthetic activity of the liver participates in the pathogenesis of the thrombocytopenia in this disease.