From the Research
After portal vein stent placement, the use of antithrombotic therapy, such as aspirin or clopidogrel, may not be necessary as it does not provide a significant benefit in preventing stent thrombosis and may increase the risk of bleeding complications, as shown in a recent systematic review and meta-analysis 1. The decision to use antithrombotic therapy should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual patient's risk of thrombosis and bleeding. Some key points to consider when deciding on antithrombotic therapy include:
- The patient's underlying liver disease severity and thrombotic risk
- The patient's bleeding risk, including any history of bleeding complications
- The type of stent used and the patient's overall health status Regular monitoring of platelet count, liver function, and coagulation parameters is still important, even if antithrombotic therapy is not used. The goal of treatment is to prevent stent thrombosis and maintain stent patency, while minimizing the risk of bleeding complications. In general, the use of antithrombotic therapy after portal vein stent placement should be approached with caution, as the benefits may not outweigh the risks, as suggested by the most recent and highest quality study 1.