The Role of Anticoagulation in Treating Portal Hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

To revise experimental and clinical data supporting a less traditional role of anticoagulation for treating portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.

Recent findings

Portal hypertension is the main driver of complications such as ascites, variceal hemorrhage, and hepatic encephalopathy, with inflammation as a key component. The traditional view of cirrhosis as a pro-hemorrhagic condition has recently changed, prothrombotic complications being recognized as frequently as the hemorrhagic ones. Several data indicate a close relationship between inflammation, prothrombotic status, worsening of hepatic fibrosis, and portal hypertension both in animal models and in patients with chronic liver disease. These findings indicate that anticoagulation may represe

SUBMITTER: Turco L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6267395 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature