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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2014; 20(19): 5737-5745
Published online May 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i19.5737
Published online May 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i19.5737
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in cirrhotic patients: Systematic review
Ashish Aggarwal, Kanika Puri, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University Medical Center, IN 46202, United States
Suthat Liangpunsakul, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University Medical Center and Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
Author contributions: Aggarwal A and Puri K contributed to drafting manuscript; and Liangpunsakul S contributed to revision and finalizing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Suthat Liangpunsakul, MD MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine and Public Health, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University Medical Center and Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, 550 N. University Blvd, UH 4100, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States. sliangpu@iupui.edu
Telephone: +1-317-2781630 Fax: +1-317-9883180
Received: October 24, 2013
Revised: December 31, 2013
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: May 21, 2014
Revised: December 31, 2013
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: May 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: In this review, the current literature on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cirrhosis patients is updated. There is no doubt that these patients are at risk for both venous thrombosis and bleeding, often presenting a challenge to the providers. VTE prophylaxis should be considered in all hospitalized cirrhotic patients, unless absolutely contraindicated. While the risk of bleeding from therapeutic anticoagulation cannot be excluded, a case of careful anticoagulation for treatment of VTE event should be made in the hands of experts.