Evaluation the value of markers for prediction of portal vein thrombosis after devascularization.

AIM: To evaluate the value of D-dimer and P-selectin in cirrhotic portal hypertension (PHT) patients for prediction of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after devascularization.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 137 patients with cirrhotic PHT who undergone devascularization from January 2012 to April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed, all of them were divided into two groups (PVT group and non-PVT group) by Doppler ultrasonography (DU) examination. The level of D-dimer and P-selectin was tested during the peri-operative period.

RESULTS: 38 patients (27.7%) were found PVT by DU examination post-operatively. In contrast to the non- PVT group, the level of D-dimer and P-selectin in the PVT group was much higher significantly at 1, 3 and 7 days after devascularization (P < 0.05). However, in the 15 days after surgery, the difference of P-selectin between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.260). It was shown that the higher sensitivity of the two markers for PVT was D-dimer, the higher specificity belonged to P-selectin. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of P-selectin was the bigger of the two markers. When the two markers were combined to be used to diagnose PVT, the sensitivity was increased to 0.911, with a slight drop of specificity to 0.715, the area under ROC curve was 0.919.

CONCLUSION: The level of D-dimer and P-selectin might be good candidate predictive markers for PVT in patients with cirrhotic PHT after devascularization. The combined test of the two markers can increase the value of prediction.