Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Portal vein thrombosis was considered a contraindication for liver transplantation. This study analyzes the perioperative complications and survival of liver transplant patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). A retrospective observational cohort study of liver transplant patients was conducted. The outcomes were early mortality (30 days) and patient survival. A total of 201 liver transplant patients were identified and 34 (17%) patients with PVT were found. The most frequent extension of thrombosis was Yerdel 1 (58.8%), and a portosystemic shunt was identified in 23 (68%) patients. Eleven patients (33%) presented any early vascular complication, PVT being the most frequent (12%). The multivariate regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between PVT and early complications (OR = 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.4–7.7; p = 0.006). Moreover, early mortality was observed in eight patients (24%), of which two (5.9%) presented Yerdel 2. For Yerdel 1, patient survival according to the extent of thrombosis was 75% at 1 year and 3 years, while for Yerdel 2, it was 65% at 1 year, and 50% at 3 years (p = 0.04). Portal vein thrombosis significantly influenced early vascular complications. Furthermore, portal vein thrombosis Yerdel 2 or higher impacts the survival of liver grafts in the short and long term.