Epidemiology, risk and prognostic factors in mesenteric venous thrombosis.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological reports on risk and prognostic factors in patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) are scarce.


METHODS
Patients with MVT were identified through the inpatient and autopsy registry between 2000 and 2006 at Malmö University Hospital.


RESULTS
Fifty-one patients had MVT, diagnosed at autopsy in six. The highest incidence (11.3 per 100,000 person-years) was in the age category 70-79 years. Activated protein C resistance was present in 13 of 29 patients tested. D-dimer at admission was raised in all five patients tested. Multidetector row computed tomography (CT) in the portal venous phase was diagnostic in all 20 patients investigated, of whom 19 were managed conservatively. The median length of resected bowel in 12 patients who had surgery was 0.6 (range 0.1-2.2) m. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 20 percent; intestinal infarction (P = 0.046), treatment on a non-surgical ward (P = 0.001) and CT not done (P = 0.022) were associated with increased mortality. Cancer was independently associated with long-term mortality: hazard ratio 4.03, 95 percent confidence interval 1.03 to 15.85; P = 0.046.


CONCLUSIONS
Portal venous phase CT appeared sensitive in diagnosing MVT. As activated protein C resistance was a strong risk factor, lifelong anticoagulation should be considered.
Acosta
S
S
Vascular Centre, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. stefan.acosta@telia.com
Alhadad
A
A
Svensson
P
P
Ekberg
O
O
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008642:Mesenteric Veins; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D