Anticoagulation in the Cirrhotic Patient

Overview

Journal JHEP Rep

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2020 Feb 11

PMID 32039373

Citations 29

Authors

Laura Turco

Emmanuelle de Raucourt

Dominique-Charles Valla

Erica Villa

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In the past, patients with liver cirrhosis were thought to be prone to increased bleeding risk. However, those with compensated liver cirrhosis actually have normal coagulative balance, which can become altered when liver function worsens, or infection, bleeding, or acute kidney insufficiency occur. When this happens, it is now recognized that patients with liver cirrhosis are at higher risk of thrombotic rather than haemorrhagic complications. Anticoagulation plays a favourable role both when used therapeutically or prophylactically. Successful anticoagulation is associated with a lower rate of decompensation and with improved survival. To date, treatment has involved the use of low molecular weight heparins and vitamin K antagonists. Preliminary data suggest that novel non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants can be used safely in patients with liver cirrhosis.

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