Pawel Rogalski1, Magdalena Rogalska-Plonska2, Eugeniusz Wroblewski3, Ines Kostecka-Roslen4, Milena Dabrowska4, Agnieszka Swidnicka-Siergiejko3, Justyna Wasielica-Berger3, Mariusz Cydzik5, Tomasz Hirnle5, Robert Flisiak2, Andrzej Dabrowski3. 1. Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Sklodowskiej - Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: progalsky@gmail.com. 2. Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Sklodowskiej - Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland. 3. Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Sklodowskiej - Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland. 4. Department of Hematological Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Sklodowskiej - Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland. 5. Department of Cardiosurgery, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Sklodowskiej - Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland.
Abstract
AIM: We aimed to assess the relationship between procoagulant imbalance and the occurrence of variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We compared the results of chromogenic assay for the functional evaluation of the Protein C anticoagulant pathway (ThromboPath®), thromboelastometry and the levels of factor VII, VIII, and antithrombin in two groups of cirrhotic patients: Group 1 (n = 25) - patients with moderate or large esophageal or gastric varices, who had never experienced acute gastrointestinal bleeding and Group 2 (n = 24) - patients with a history of variceal bleeding. RESULTS: Despite the differences in MELD score and the results of basic laboratory tests indicating more severe cirrhosis and suggesting a greater risk of bleeding in Group 2, the results of thromboelastometry did not differ significantly between groups. The ThromboPath® test results [ThP B: 67.8 ± 13.4 versus 59.09 ± 12.4%, p = 0.023] and factor VII level [69.04 ± 24.16 vs 53.54 ± 25.06, p = 0.032] confirmed greater plasma procoagulant activity in Group 1 compared to Group 2. However, there were no statistically significant differences in thrombin generation after activation of the protein C. Plasma of patients in Group 2 was more resistant to anticoagulation with protein C compared to Group 1 (PICI%: 65.58 ± 7.24 versus 55.64 ± 13.07%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of our study confirm the lack of influence of coagulation disorders on the occurrence of variceal bleeding. Moreover, the results of ThromboPath® assay indicate hypercoagulability in patients with a history of variceal bleeding and more severe liver cirrhosis, compared to patients who have never bled.
AIM: We aimed to assess the relationship between procoagulant imbalance and the occurrence of variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We compared the results of chromogenic assay for the functional evaluation of the Protein C anticoagulant pathway (ThromboPath®), thromboelastometry and the levels of factor VII, VIII, and antithrombin in two groups of cirrhotic patients: Group 1 (n = 25) - patients with moderate or large esophageal or gastric varices, who had never experienced acute gastrointestinal bleeding and Group 2 (n = 24) - patients with a history of variceal bleeding. RESULTS: Despite the differences in MELD score and the results of basic laboratory tests indicating more severe cirrhosis and suggesting a greater risk of bleeding in Group 2, the results of thromboelastometry did not differ significantly between groups. The ThromboPath® test results [ThP B: 67.8 ± 13.4 versus 59.09 ± 12.4%, p = 0.023] and factor VII level [69.04 ± 24.16 vs 53.54 ± 25.06, p = 0.032] confirmed greater plasma procoagulant activity in Group 1 compared to Group 2. However, there were no statistically significant differences in thrombin generation after activation of the protein C. Plasma of patients in Group 2 was more resistant to anticoagulation with protein C compared to Group 1 (PICI%: 65.58 ± 7.24 versus 55.64 ± 13.07%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of our study confirm the lack of influence of coagulation disorders on the occurrence of variceal bleeding. Moreover, the results of ThromboPath® assay indicate hypercoagulability in patients with a history of variceal bleeding and more severe liver cirrhosis, compared to patients who have never bled.