Mesenteric vein thrombosis due to factor V Leiden gene mutation

Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis: a better outcome achieved through improved imaging techniques and a changed policy of clinical management

OBJECTIVE

To analyse and compare the results obtained from acute mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) patients before and after the change of the clinical management principle, to assess the factors responsible for the recent better outcome and determine the best management for this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 41 patients treated for acute MVT admitted in our hospital between 1978 and 2003. Before 1995 (Group I), our policy was to perform surgery in patients with suspected acute MVT. After 1995 (Group II), we changed our policy to a medical approach when achievable. Each patient in this study was assessed for diagnosis, initial management (operative or non-operative), mortality, duration of hospitalisation, and outcome.

RESULTS

There were 13 in Group I, 28 in Group II. The mean duration of diagnoses made after admission was 7.3 S.D. 2.6 days for patients in Group I, and 1.5 S.D. 1.2 days for those in Group II (p<0.01, Student's t-test). Eleven patients underwent operations and two patients received non-operative treatment initially in group I, the mortality was 39%; while nine patients underwent operations and 19 patients received non-operative management in group II, the mortality was 11% (p<0.05). No death occurred in the patients with initial non-operative management. The mean duration of hospitalisation was 26 S.D. 6.8 days in Group I and 12.6 S.D. 4.6 days in Group II (p<0.01, Student's t-test). No significant difference in 2-year survival rate between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Recent improvements in imaging techniques and better understanding of the aetiology have led to a dramatic change in the principle and policy of clinical management for acute MVT, which leads to a more favourable outcome of acute MVT.

Mesenteric vein thrombosis in a pregnant patient heterozygous for the factor V (1691 G --> A) Leiden mutation

Factor V Leiden mutation is a risk factor for the development of thromboembolic events in pregnancy. Thrombosis of the mesenteric vein is a fairly infrequent condition complicating pregnancy. In this paper, we described a pregnant patient with mesenteric vein thrombosis who was heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation.

[Chronic abdominal pain due to bowel ischemia in a patient with Leiden factor V mutation]

Leiden Factor V mutation, associated with resistance to activated protein C, is a prothrombotic state found in 20% of the patients with a first episode of deep-vein thrombosis. We report the case of a 30-Year-old woman with a history of intermittent abdominal pain who developed small bowel infarction requiring extensive small bowel resection. Biological search for prothrombotic disorder showed resistance to activated protein C due to homozygosity for the factor V Leiden mutation. Long-term anticoagulant therapy was initiated. Unexplained abdominal pain may be due to venous mesenteric ischemia, which can be associated with factor V Leiden mutation.

Drug therapies for mesenteric vascular disease

Mesenteric vascular disease has been increasingly diagnosed in the past 25 years. This rise in incidence has been attributed to the advanced mean age of the population and increasing number of critically ill patients, and to a greater clinical recognition of the condition. While surgical revascularization and resection has long been the standard of treatment, medical management also plays an important role. Early diagnosis before irreversible bowel damage, which may occur within 6 to 8 hours after insult, is the goal of successful medical treatment without surgical intervention. Even in the presence or irreversible bowel ischemia, perioperative medical treatment may reduce the progression of further ischemia, and bowel resection may be limited. This article outlines the appropriate medical management of ischemic disorders of the intestine, with an emphasis on the drug treatments presently used in clinical practice and those being studied in the laboratory.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis: a changing clinical entity

OBJECTIVE

Mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) and its clinical spectrum have become better defined following improvements in diagnostic imaging. Historically, MVT has been described as a morbid clinical entity, but this may not necessarily be true. Often, an underlying disease process that predisposes a patient to MVT can be found and potentially treated. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostics and management of MVT and to review long-term results of treatment.

PATIENTS

Thirty-one patients in whom MVT was diagnosed between 1985 and 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. Survivors were contacted for follow-up. There were 15 men and 16 women. Ages ranged from 22 to 80 years (mean, 49.1 years). Thirteen patients had documented hypercoagulability, 10 had a history of previous abdominal surgery, 6 had a prior thrombotic episode, and 4 had a history of cancer. MVT presented as abdominal pain (84%), diarrhea (42%), and nausea/vomiting (32%). Computed tomography (CT) was considered diagnostic in 18 (90%) of 20 patients who underwent the test. CT diagnosed MVT in 15 (100%) of 15 patients presenting with vague abdominal pain or diarrhea. Angiography demonstrated MVT in only five (55.5%) of nine patients.

RESULTS

Seven of 31 patients died within 30 days (< 30-day mortality rate, 23%). Twenty-two patients (72%) were initially treated with heparin. Nine patients were not heparinized: four of them died, and two were later given warfarin sodium (Coumadin). Of the 31 patients, only one received lytic therapy. Three patients became symptom free without anticoagulation. Ten patients (32%) underwent bowel resection. Overall, 19 (79%) of 24 survivors were treated with long-term warfarin therapy. Long-term follow-up was obtained in 24 patients (mean, 57.7 months). Twenty-one (88%) of 24 survived in follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of MVT should be suspected when acute abdominal symptoms develop in patients with prior thrombotic episodes or a documented coagulopathy. CT scanning appears to be the primary diagnostic test of choice. Anticoagulation is recommended. If diagnosed and treated early, MVT is not likely to progress to gangrenous bowel. Recent mortality rates for MVT are lower than previously published, perhaps because of earlier diagnosis and aggressive treatment or possibly because we now readily diagnose a more benign form of the disease, which is due to widespread use of CT scanning.

Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis: case for nonoperative management

OBJECTIVE

Initial treatment in the management of acute mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) is controversial. Some authors have proposed a surgical approach, whereas others have advocated medical therapy (anticoagulation). In this study, we analyzed and compared the results obtained with surgical and medical treatment to determine the best initial management for this disease.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients treated for MVT in a secondary care surgical department from January 1987 to December 1999. Before January 1995, our departmental policy was to perform surgery in patients with suspected MVT. Since January 1995, we have preferred a medical approach when achievable. Each patient in this study was assessed for diagnosis, initial management (laparotomy or anticoagulation), morbidity, mortality, duration of hospitalization, the need for secondary operation, portal hypertension, and survival rates.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were treated, 14 before January 1995 (group 1) and 12 since January 1995 (group 2). Morbidity, mortality, secondary operation, portal hypertension, and 2-year survival rates were 34.6%, 19.2%, 15.3%, 19.2%, and 76.9%, respectively. No statistical difference was observed between the two groups. The mean duration of hospitalization was 51.6 days in group 1 and 23.2 days in group 2 (P < .05). Among the 12 patients treated by means of laparotomy with bowel resection, 10 patients (83%) had mucosal necrosis without transmural necrosis at pathologic study.

CONCLUSION

Nonoperative management for acute MVT is feasible when the initial diagnosis with a computed tomography scan is certain and when the bowel infarction has not led to transmural necrosis and bowel perforation. The morbidity, mortality, and survival rates are similar in cases of surgical and nonoperative management. The length of hospital stay is shorter when patients are treated with a nonoperative approach. A nonoperative approach, when indicated, avoids the resection of macroscopically infarcted small bowel (without transmural necrosis) in cases that are potentially reversible with anticoagulation alone.

High prevalence of thrombophilic genotypes in patients with acute mesenteric vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVES

Mesenteric vein thrombosis is a rare but severe abdominal emergency, often requiring intestinal resection. New genetic prothrombotic defects such as factor V Leiden, the prothrombin transition G20210A, and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase TT677 genotype have been described in association with venous thrombosis. Our goal was to assess prevalence and clinical significance of genetic thrombophilia in mesenteric vein thrombosis.

METHODS

Twelve patients with acute mesenteric vein thrombosis were compared with 431 healthy people from the same geographical area. The factor V Leiden, the prothrombin transition G20210A, and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase TT677 genotype were identified by polymerase chain reaction and restriction analysis.

RESULTS

A thrombophilic genotype was present in 9 patients (75%): the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase TT677 genotype was present in 6 (50%), the factor V Leiden in 3 (25%), and the prothrombin transition G20210A in 3 (25%). Combined mutations were present in 4 (33%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The factor V Leiden, the prothrombin transition G20210A, and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase TT677 genotype are important predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of mesenteric vein thrombosis. Their identification bears strong clinical implications for management of patients with mesenteric vein thrombosis.