Portal vein thrombosis, hepatic decompensation, and survival in patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disease and portal hypertension

J Gastroenterol. 2023 Mar;58(3):268-276. doi: 10.1007/s00535-023-01957-0. Epub 2023 Jan 24.

Abstract

Background: Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is a novel nomenclature to describe non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and characteristic histology without portal vein thrombosis (PVT). It is a more inclusive definition than the previously well-recognized entity idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. There is a paucity of data on PSVD patients.

Methods: A total of 33 patients diagnosed with PSVD and portal hypertension (PH) between 2005 and 2021 were included. Data were retrieved from electronic medical record system and analyzed.

Results: Of the 33 patients, 6 (18%) occurred in post-transplant allograft liver. After a median follow-up of 96 months (interquartile range, IQR [52, 139]), 14 deaths occurred (42%), 4 directly related to decompensated liver disease. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 94%, 87% and 58%. PVT occurred in 10 patients (30%). The Nelson-Aalen cumulative risk estimate for PVT at 1, 5 and 10 years were 16%, 25% and 48%. The median model for end-stage liver disease and Child-Pugh score at initial presentation were 8 (IQR [7-12]) and 5 [5-6], and increased to 13 [8, 18] and 7 [5, 8], respectively, at the end of follow-up. Of the 11 patients who presented with splenomegaly and no specific sign of PH, 7 (64%) developed varices and 3 (27%) ascites at a median follow-up of 100 months.

Conclusions: PSVD with PH is not a benign entity. Mortality, PVT and hepatic decompensation are common. Patients with PSVD must be closely monitored, including those who only have non-specific clinical signs (e.g., splenomegaly) of PH.

Keywords: Cirrhosis; Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension; Portal vein thrombosis; Survival; Vascular liver disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Budd-Chiari Syndrome*
  • End Stage Liver Disease*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal* / complications
  • Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension*
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Portal Vein
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Splenomegaly / etiology
  • Venous Thrombosis*