Predictive value of D-dimer for portal vein thrombosis after portal hypertension surgery in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value of D-dimer as a predictive indicator of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after portal hypertension surgery in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in 52 patients who had undergone surgery for portal hypertension in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. Changes in perioperative dynamic D-dimer were observed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of D-dimer were calculated, and ROC curves were analyzed. RESULTS: The D-dimer levels in the group developing postoperative PVT was significantly higher than those in the group not developing PVT (P = 0.001), and the ROC semi-quantitative and qualitative analysis of D-dimer showed a moderate predictive value in PVT (semi-quantitative value Az = 0.794, P = 0.000; qualitative analysis: Az = 0.739, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dynamic monitoring of D-dimer levels in patients with portal hypertension after surgery can help early diagnosis of PVT as in cases where the D-dimer levels steadily increase and exceed 16 mu g/mL, the possibility of PVT is very high. (C) 2007 WJG. All rights reserved.