Evaluation the value of markers for prediction of portal vein thrombosis after devascularization

Aim. To evaluate the value of D-dimer and P-selectin in cirrhotic portal hypertension (PHT) patients for prediction of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after devascularization. Material and methods. 137 patients with cirrhotic PHT who undergone devascularization from January 2012 to April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed, all of them were divided into two groups (PVT group and non-PVT group) by Doppler ultrasonography (DU) examination. The level of D-dimer and P-selectin was tested during the peri-operative period. Results. 38 patients (27.7%) were found PVT by DU examination post-operatively. In contrast to the non-PVT group, the level of D-dimer and P-selectin in the PVT group was much higher significantly at 1, 3 and 7 days after devascularization (P < 0.05). However, in the 15 days after surgery, the difference of P-selectin between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.260). It was shown that the higher sensitivity of the two markers for PVT was D-dimer, the higher specificity belonged to P-selectin. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of P-selectin was the bigger of the two markers. When the two markers were combined to be used to diagnose PVT, the sensitivity was increased to 0.911, with a slight drop of specificity to 0.715, the area under ROC curve was 0.919. Conclusion. The level of D-dimer and P-selectin might be good candidate predictive markers for PVT in patients with cirrhotic PHT after devascularization. The combined test of the two markers can increase the value of prediction.