difference between portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension?

[Lvbv]

Good evening. New here. Husband in hospital with liver cirrhosis. Having scope on Monday and we were told today that he has portal vein thrombosis. I understand what that is but I’m confused after doing some research as to the difference between portal vein thrombosis and portal vein hypertension? Or are they the same thing?

thank you

[AyrshireK]

They are different things. A portal veinous thrombosis (PVT) is a blood clot in the portal vein. This can in turn create a blockage which can then cause portal hypertension but you can have portal hypertension without a PVT if that makes sense.

Katie

[Lvbv in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you for your response. Yes that makes sense. Can you have PVT without portal hypertension if the thrombosis is a partial blockage? Sorry for another question.

[AyrshireK in reply to Lvbv]

I would imagine if there is only a partial blockage then there might be a lesser degree of portal hypertension due to the PVT - but blood is still going to back up when there is any restriction on smooth flow to/through the liver. Alot will also depend on whats going on in the rest of the liver too.

My hubby had portal hypertension because of his scarred,/cirrhotic liver with no PVT.

Katie

[Pie-eater]

Yeah, I had Portal Hypertension with a partial blockage. Got neither now due to transplant. Hope your husband goes on ok and is soon out of hospital.

[user2021a]

I had portal vein thrombosis which caused portal hypertension. The other main veins in my liver were also clotted. I have a condition called Budd Chiari - you can read about it on BLT website. I had a TIPS shunt to let blood flow through my liver and the portal hypertension went. No idea if this is relevant to your husband . Good luck in sorting out his liver problems

[Lvbv]

thank you for your quick responses to my questions. Just trying to sort all this out with new terminology and get my head around understanding.

[looby24]

Hi - I've just seen your post. My husband has portal vein thrombosis that extends to the mesenteric vein too. Is on blood thinners and also hypertension medication. This was diagnosed Aug '23 when the whole thing started. Not yet had another CT scan to check progress, just an ultrasound. We actually have an appointment tomorrow to check his liver and I hope there is an improvement regarding the thrombosis. I did not manage to understand whether the blood thinners he takes can break down the clot or if they only help it not getting worse. How is your husband doing with the thrombosis?

[Lvbv]

Hi - my husband is on blood thinner (apixaban) and also been given iron supplements due to the discovery that he is also anaemic now. Speaking to his hematologist the other week I asked the same question of the blood thinners - will thrombosis go away. He said some do, some don’t. He also said to us that if it does go away, there’s a high probability it will come back. Not very encouraging words. We are waiting to see the liver specialist as he also performed a colonoscopy so waiting on those results as well before we see him. I have no idea how much scarring or how much blockage there is at this point but hope to find out this information soon. Right now his biggest complaint is not sleeping well at night and very very low energy. He had bloodwork done last week and we will be seeing our family doctor tomorrow about that. It’s been totally out of whack. Please keep posting about your progress and I will do the same. It’s all very worrisome. Hope your husband gets feeling better soon. Best wishes