Predictive Effects of Platelet Indices in Cirrhotic Patients with or without Portal Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Objective: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common finding in liver cirrhosis. Besides low portal blood flow, thrombophilia, bacterial translocation and endotoxemia, platelets which are considered as important source of prothrombotic agents may play a role in thrombotic events in cirrhosis. Large platelets have been reported to have numerous granules that result in greater thrombotic and proinflammatory activity. We aimed to define the role of platelet indices in PVT among cirrhotic patients.

Method: Cirrhotic patients admitted to Gastroenterology Clinic and having a dynamic radiological examination were assessed retrospectively. Demographic and laboratory findings were recorded including platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV). Severity of cirrhosis was assessed with MELD (Model for End Stage Liver Disease) and Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) scores

Results: Study included 255 patients. Mean age was 60.6 +/- 10.2 years. 41.6% of patients were female. 50 (19.6%) patients had PVT. Patients with PVT did not differed from those without PVT in age, gender and presence of diabetes mellitus. Median platelet count was lower in patients with PVT (100 (22-370) vs 79.5 (22-573), p: 0.033). Mean MPV and PDW levels were similar between PVT and non-PVT groups (p > 0.05). Although median MELD scores did not differ between groups, median CPT scores were significantly higher in PVT compared to non-PVT group (p:0.027).

Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients with PVT had more prominent thrombocytopenia, but similar MPV and PDW levels compared to those without PVT.