In patients with chronic noncirrhotic, nontumoral portal vein thrombosis (PVT), the usually recommended strategy for endoscopic screening and management of varices is the same as in cirrhosis. However, the efficacy of this policy in patients with PVT is unknown. We assessed the course of gastroesophageal varices in a large cohort of patients with chronic PVT. Patients prospectively registered in two referral centers for vascular liver disorders were eligible for the study. Endpoints were development and growth of varices and the incidence and outcome of portal hypertension-related bleeding. Included were 178 patients with chronic PVT. Median follow-up was 49 (1-598) months. Variceal bleeding was the initial manifestation in 27 (15%) patients. Initial endoscopy in the remaining 151 patients showed no varices in 52 (34%), small esophageal varices in 28 (19%), large esophageal varices (LEVs) in 60 (40%), and gastric varices without LEVs in 11 (7%). Ascites and splenomegaly were independent predictors for the presence of varices. In patients without varices, the probability of developing them was 2%, 22%, and 22% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. In those with small esophageal varices, growth to LEVs was observed in 13%, 40%, and 54% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. In patients with LEVs on primary prophylaxis, probability of bleeding was 9%, 20%, and 32% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Nine (5%) patients died after a median 51 (8-280) months, only one due to variceal bleeding.
Conclusions: The course of varices in chronic noncirrhotic, nontumoral PVT appears to be similar to that in cirrhosis; using the same therapeutic approach as for cirrhosis is associated with a low risk of bleeding and death.
© 2016 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.