Journal List > Korean J Gastroenterol > v.70(5) > 1007703

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2017 Nov;70(5):218-222. Korean.
Published online November 24, 2017.  https://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2017.70.5.218
Copyright © 2017. Korean Society of Gastroenterology
Anticoagulation in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Jae Youn Cheong
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

Correspondence to: Jae Youn Cheong, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 World cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 16499, Korea. Tel: +82-31-219-5119, Fax: +82-31-219-7820, Email: jaeyoun620@gmail.com
Received September 26, 2017; Revised September 28, 2017; Accepted September 29, 2017.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


Abstract

Cirrhotic patients have bleeding tendencies due to the lack of coagulation factors and thrombocytopenia. However, decreased levels of procoagulants are also accompanied by decreased levels of natural anticoagulants. However, there have been contrasting reports. It has been reported that patients with cirrhosis are at risk for thrombotic complications, including portal vein thrombosis and venous thromboembolism. Physicians consider active anticoagulation for prophylaxis and treatment of portal vein thrombosis and/or venous thromboembolism in cirrhotic patients with high risk of thrombosis. Concurrently, there are safety concerns regarding the risk of bleeding from anticoagulants in people with advanced liver disease. Further prospective studies are required to determine not only if cirrhotic patients benefit from receiving anticoagulation therapy for preventing thrombotic complications, but also to determine which prophylactic regimen is most appropriate.

Keywords: Liver cirrhosis; Venous thromboembolism; Anticoagulants

Notes

Financial support:None.

Conflict of interest:None.

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