PORTAL VEIN THROMBOSIS

Course overview

PORTAL VEIN THROMBOSIS (PVT) IS A NARROWING OR BLOCKAGE OF THE PORTAL VEIN BY A BLOOD CLOT. THROMBOSIS CAN DEVELOP IN THE MAIN BODY OF THE PORTAL VEIN OR ITS INTRAHEPATIC BRANCHES AND MAY EVEN EXTEND TO THE SPLENIC OR SUPERIOR MESENTERIC VEINS. PVT FREQUENTLY OCCURS WITH CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER. IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WITH MALIGNANCY, ABDOMINAL SEPSIS, PANCREATITIS, SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, OR OTHER CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY CONDITIONS INVOLVING HYPERCOAGULABLE STATES. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE RISK FACTORS, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF PORTAL VEIN THROMBOSIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ENHANCING CARE DELIVERY FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.