phenprocoumon and Mesenteric-Vascular-Occlusion

In portal vein thrombosis, various hypercoagulable conditions and inherited or acquired thrombophilias have already been described as predisposing factors. In a 33-year-old man admitted to a hospital with upper abdominal pain, a partial portal vein and upper mesenteric vein thrombosis, respectively, and a complete splenic vein thrombosis were diagnosed. Further diagnostic procedures showed no evidence for local precipitating factors or any underlying infectious, paraneoplastic or inflammatory disease. Thrombophilia screening demonstrated elevated factor VIII levels (206 %) and von Willebrand factor levels (> 440 %). An acute-phase reaction was excluded. Oral anticoagulant therapy with phenprocoumon was started. Factor VIII and von Willebrand factor were reproducibly elevated to high activity levels over a period of 12 months in absence of acute or chronic inflammatory reaction. Increased levels of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor may play a pathogenetic role in the development of portal, splenic, and mesenteric thrombosis.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Factor VIII; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion; Mesenteric Veins; Phenprocoumon; Portal Vein; Thrombophilia; Thrombosis; von Willebrand Factor

Protein S, a vitamin-K dependent glycoprotein is a cofactor of protein-C system, which acts as an inhibitor of the plasmatic coagulation. Protein-S congenital deficiency results in recurrent venous thromboses, atypical locations in portal and mesenteric veins are possible. In our patient the partial thrombosis of the portal vein was diagnosed by computed tomography and angiography. Small bowel ischaemia due to mesenteric vein thrombosis required segmental resection. Post-operatively the patient was heparinized and later phenprocoumon was applied to a long-term therapy.

Topics: Adult; Heparin; Humans; Intestine, Small; Ischemia; Male; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion; Mesenteric Veins; Phenprocoumon; Portal Vein; Postoperative Care; Protein S Deficiency; Thrombosis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A 56 year old man presented with increasing abdominal pain. He suffered from arterial occlusive disease with occlusion of the right A. iliaca communis. Angiography revealed partial thrombotic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery. Urokinase (UK) at a dose of 150 IU/kg X minutes and heparin (1,000 U/h) was infused through the 7F angiographic catheter for 180 minutes. After 70 min of treatment, angiography showed improvement, and after 120 min the thrombus was nearly completely lysed. A stenosis of approximately 50% was still present after 180 min. Two hours after treatment the patient was pain free without analgesics. Laboratory studies showed systemic fibrinogenolysis, but fibrinogen was still within the upper normal range. Only slight systemic fibrinolytic activity (less than 5 IU UK/ml) could be determined. However, alpha 2-antiplasmin was depleted. The catheter was drawn 15 h after thrombolysis without bleeding. While under concurrent heparin and phenprocoumon therapy, the patient developed an infected gluteal hematoma as a result of i.m. injections prior to this treatment. A repeat angiography approximately one month after thrombolysis revealed further improvement and patency. The patient is well and free of abdominal angina and under oral anticoagulant therapy.

Topics: Drug Therapy, Combination; Heparin; Humans; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Male; Mesenteric Arteries; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion; Middle Aged; Phenprocoumon; Radiography; Thrombosis; Tobacco Use Disorder; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator