Increased Factor VIII Activity Is Predictive of the Occurrence of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to identify the role of factor VIII (FVIII) in portal vein thrombosis (PVT) occurrence in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding. Methods A total of 453 cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices were enrolled. Computed tomography was performed at baseline and patients were divided into PVT and non-PVT groups (n = 131 vs. 322). Individuals without PVT at baseline were followed up for the development of PVT. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis of FVIII for PVT development was performed. The Kaplan–Meier methodology was used to analyze the predictive ability of FVIII for PVT incidence at 1 year. Results FVIII activity (177.00 vs. 153.70, p = 0.001) was significantly increased in the PVT group compared with the non-PVT group in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices. FVIII activity was positively correlated with the severity of PVT (161.50 vs. 171.07 vs. 187.05%, p = 0.001). Furthermore, FVIII activity (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–10.68, p = 0.029 in model 1; HR: 3.29, 95% CI: 1.03–10.51, p = 0.045 in model 2) was an independent risk factor of 1-year PVT development in patients without PVT at baseline, which was confirmed by two separate Cox regression analysis and competing risk models. Patients with elevated FVIII activity exhibit a higher incidence of PVT in the non-PVT group at 1 year (15.17 vs. 3.16%, p < 0.001). The predictive value of FVIII remains significant in individuals who have never received splenectomy (14.76 vs. 3.04%, p = 0.002). Conclusion Elevated FVIII activity was potentially associated with the occurrence and the severity of PVT. It might be helpful to identify cirrhotic patients at risk of PVT.