Portal vein
thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but serious complication in the decompensated stage of
cirrhosis, and recurrent upper gastrointestinal
bleeding and refractory
ascites can occur in such patients. In decompensated cirrhotic patients, the application of conventional
anticoagulant therapy is limited due to severe coagulation disorders,
thrombocytopenia, and history of gastrointestinal
bleeding.In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of
fondaparinux on acute PVT in decompensated cirrhotic patients.Patients were treated with
fondaparinux (2.5 mg, q 24 h, subcutaneously) in the region of the umbilicus for conventional liver protection, after a clear diagnosis was made and
contraindications such as active
bleeding were ruled out. Other
anticoagulants and circulation-improving drugs were not administered. Platelet count, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio,
D dimer (DD), and liver function were measured. Furthermore, portal vein color Doppler ultrasound was performed every 7 days while patients were treated with
fondaparinux and after portal vein recanalization.The portal vein was recanalized in all patients
after treatment (P = .018). The decline in DD had a predictive value for portal vein recanalization (P = .018). No side effects such as
bleeding or
thrombocytopenia occurred in any of the patients (P > .05).Selective
factor Xa inhibitor fondaparinux is effective and safe for acute PVT in decompensated cirrhotic patients.