Abstract | OBJECTIVES: During the progression of chronic liver disease towards cirrhosis, morphological studies have shown a close association between parenchymal remodeling and obliterative lesions of intrahepatic small portal and hepatic veins. These lesions are highly suggestive of intrahepatic thrombotic events, which may have a key role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. The aim of the study was to investigate thrombotic risk factors in chronic hepatitis C patients with different extent of liver fibrosis. METHODS: RESULTS: Three thrombotic risk factors were significantly more frequent in patients with extensive fibrosis and/or cirrhosis than in those without extensive fibrosis: protein C deficiency present in 14 patients (41%) as compared with three patients (9%), p= 0.004; elevated factor VIII level present in 19 patients (56%) as compared with six patients (18%), p= 0.002; and hyperhomocysteinemia present in 10 patients (29%) as compared with two patients (6%), p= 0.023. The association of two or three prothrombotic factors was present in 19 patients (56%) with extensive fibrosis and/or cirrhosis as compared with one patient (3%) without extensive fibrosis and/or cirrhosis, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Multiple thrombotic risk factors coexist frequently in patients with extensive fibrosis and early stage of cirrhosis. Their association with local inflammation could favor thrombotic events in the liver micro-circulatory bed.
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Authors | Armelle Poujol-Robert, Olivier Rosmorduc, Lawrence Serfaty, Florence Coulet, Raoul Poupon, Annie Robert |
Journal | The American journal of gastroenterology
(Am J Gastroenterol)
Vol. 99
Issue 3
Pg. 527-31
(Mar 2004)
ISSN: 0002-9270 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15056097
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antithrombins
- Protein C
- Protein S
- Homocysteine
- Factor VIII
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Antithrombins
(analysis)
- Factor VIII
(analysis)
- Female
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(blood, etiology, genetics)
- Homocysteine
(blood)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Protein C
(analysis)
- Protein S
(analysis)
- Risk Factors
- Thrombosis
(blood, complications, genetics)
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