Impact of liver cirrhosis on the outcomes of patients with venous thromboembolism: a case-control study
Original Article

Impact of liver cirrhosis on the outcomes of patients with venous thromboembolism: a case-control study

Xintong Zhang1,2, Xingshun Qi1#, Valerio De Stefano3, Zheng Zhu2, Rui Qiao2, Xiaozhong Guo1#

1Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110840, China; 2Postgraduate College, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; 3Institute of Hematology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Contributions: (I) Conception and design: X Zhang, X Qi; (II) Administrative support: X Guo; (III) Provision of study material or patients: X Guo; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: X Zhang, Z Zhu, R Qiao; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: X Zhang, X Qi; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.

*These authors contributed equally to this work.

#These authors contributed equally for the senior authorship.

Correspondence to: Prof. Xiaozhong Guo; Dr. Xingshun Qi, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110840, China. Email: guo_xiao_zhong@126.com; xingshunqi@126.com.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increasingly encountered in cirrhotic patients. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to explore the difference in the clinical characteristics and outcomes between VTE patients with and without cirrhosis.

Methods: All VTE patients who were admitted between January 2011 and December 2015 were considered. Age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score (CCIs) were matched between VTE patients with and without cirrhosis.

Results: Sixteen and 160 patients were included in the case and control groups, respectively. The case group had higher Child-Pugh score, prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR) and lower red blood cell, platelet, and albumin than the control group. The frequency of anticoagulant therapies was significantly lower in the case group than in the control group [50% (8/16) vs. 90.6% (145/160), P<0.001]. The incidence of major bleeding and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [43.8% (7/16) vs. 13.8% (22/160), P=0.006; 37.5% (6/16) vs. 7.5% (12/160), P=0.002]. The most common origin of major bleeding in the case group is variceal [85.7% (6/7)]. In the case group, the incidence of major bleeding and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive anticoagulants [25% (2/8) vs. 62.5% (5/8), P=0.315; 25% (2/8) vs. 50% (4/8), P=0.608].

Conclusions: Cirrhosis may increase the risk of major bleeding and in-hospital death in patients with VTE. Anticoagulant therapies may not influence the risk of major bleeding and in-hospital death in cirrhosis with VTE.

Keywords: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT); pulmonary embolism (PE); liver cirrhosis; anticoagulant; bleeding


Received: 08 February 2017; Accepted: 13 February 2017; Published: 03 March 2017.

doi: 10.21037/amj.2017.02.11


Introduction

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is defined as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), represents a substantial health-care burden worldwide (1,2). The incidence of VTE is 100–200 per 100,000 person years in the general population (3) and can be as high as 1,000 per 100,000 person years among the elderly patients, cancer patients, and patients with multiple comorbidities (4,5). Population-based epidemiological data has also demonstrated a yearly increased incidence of VTE in Asian patients (6-9). Risk factors of VTE include advanced age, obesity, active cancer, major trauma, fracture, recent surgery, heart failure, respiratory failure, paralytic stroke, inherited thrombophilia, antiphospholipid syndrome, previous VTE, varicose veins, congenital venous malformation, central venous catheter or vena cava filter, long-distance travel, pregnancy/antepartum, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (3,10-17). VTE is associated with reduced survival and substantial health-care costs (18,19). Prognostic factors of VTE include advanced age, male, lower body mass index, confinement to a hospital or nursing home at the onset of VTE, congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, serious neurologic disease, tumor stage, tumor location, and absence of timely treatment (20-24). In Europe, more than 500,000 deaths per annum are attributable to VTE and its associated complications (3).

Recently, the association of VTE with liver cirrhosis has been frequently explored. However, the impact of liver cirrhosis on the outcomes of VTE remains unclear. Herein, we conducted a case-control study to explore the difference in the clinical characteristics and outcomes between VTE patients with and without cirrhosis.


Methods

Patients

The protocol of our study was approved by the Ethics Committee of General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area (approval number: k201602). Informed written consents were waived. The diagnoses of VTE were identified by searching the International Classification Codes (ICD)-9 and discharge diagnoses in the Department of Information between January 2011 and December 2015. ICD for the diagnosis of DVT include 453, 453.4, 453.4X, 453.5X, 453.7X, 453.8X, and 451.1–451.8. ICD for the diagnosis of PE include 415.1 and 415.1X. ICD for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis include 571, 571.2, 571.5, and 571.6.

Diagnosis of VTE was established in accordance with the medical history of thrombosis, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, and imaging examinations. DVT was confirmed by the venography, compression Doppler ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan, or autopsy. PE was confirmed by the pulmonary angiography, spiral CT scan, MRI scan, or pathology and ventilation-perfusion scan. Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis was established in accordance with the medical history of liver disease, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, and abdominal imaging.

Cases

Case and control group were defined as VTE with and without liver cirrhosis, respectively. Patients with malignancy and repeated admission were excluded. For each identified patient with VTE and liver cirrhosis in the case group, ten patients with VTE and without liver cirrhosis in the control group were matched by the age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score (CCIs). Some patients had been included in our previous studies (9,25-28).

Data collection

An investigator (Xintong Zhang) searched the medical records regarding medical history and new onset of VTE and another investigator (Xingshun Qi) checked the data accuracy. We collected the ages, genders, total CCIs, histories of smoking, alcohol and hypertension, etiologies of liver disease, locations and final diagnostic methods of VTE, antithrombotic drugs, dosages, and lengths, lengths of stay, laboratory data (white blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, platelet, C-reactive protein, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, glutamyltranspeptidase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, potassium, sodium, total cholesterin, triglyceride, international normalized ratio (INR), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, and D-dimer). Locations of major bleeding and causes of in-hospital death were reviewed.

Definitions

CCIs, which were evaluated and validated for the prognostic assessment in different clinical contexts (29), were divided into four classes: group 1 (CCIs: 4), group 2 (CCIs: 5), group 3 (CCIs: 6), and group 4 (CCIs: ≥6) (Table S1). Definition and classification of arterial hypertension were determined according to the guideline (30). Child-Pugh score was calculated according to the previous criteria (31). Major bleeding was defined in accordance with the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) criteria (symptomatic bleeding in a critical organ; bleeding causing a fall in the hemoglobin of at least 20 g/L or leading to transfusion of at least two units of whole blood or red blood cells; or fatal bleeding) (32).

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 19.0.0. Continuous variables were compared between the case group and the control group using the independent sample t-test or the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Bar chart was drawn to compare the incidence of major bleeding and in-hospital mortality between VTE patients with and without cirrhosis. A two sided P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.


Results

Patients

Sixteen patients with both VTE and cirrhosis were included in the case group (Table 1). Among them, eight patients were diagnosed with DVT, six patients with PE, and two patients with both DVT and PE; eight patients had a previous history of lower extremity DVT, five patients had a previous history of PE, one patient had a previous history of both DVT and PE, one patient had a previous history of DVT and developed PE during hospitalization, and one patient developed PE during hospitalization.

Table 1

Characteristics of patients in the case group

Age Sex CCIs CCI related diseases Locations Child-Pugh score Causes of liver disease
40 F 4 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease DVT 7 Unknown
42 F 4 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease PE + DVT 11 HBV
46 M 4 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease DVT 8 Alcohol
48 M 4 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease PE 8 Alcohol + HCV
52 M 4 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease DVT 9 Alcohol + HBV
54 F 5 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + chronic pulmonary disease DVT 8 Alcohol + PBC
56 M 5 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + diabetes without end-organ damage DVT 11 Alcohol
56 M 5 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + diabetes without end-organ damage DVT 10 Alcohol + HBV
63 M 5 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + peptic ulcer disease PE 8 Alcohol
75 F 5 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + cerebrovascular disease PE 10 Alcohol
47 M 6 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + diabetes without end-organ damage + chronic pulmonary disease PE 7 Alcohol + HBV
54 M 6 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + history of myocardial infarction + cerebrovascular disease DVT 8 Alcohol
71 M 6 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + diabetes without end-organ damage + history of myocardial infarction DVT 10 HBV
59 M 7 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + history of myocardial infarction + moderate or severe renal disease PE + DVT 9 HBV
69 M 7 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + chronic pulmonary disease + moderate or severe renal disease PE 7 Unknown
80 F 8 Moderate or severe liver disease + peripheral disease + chronic pulmonary disease + history of myocardial infarction + moderate or severe renal disease PE 9 HBV

CCI, Charlson Comorbidity Index; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; PE, pulmonary embolism; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; PBC, primary biliary cirrhosis.

One hundred and sixty patients were included in the control group. Among them, 25 patients were diagnosed with DVT, 91 patients with PE, and 44 patients with both DVT and PE; 23 patients had a previous history of lower extremity DVT, 58 patients had a previous history of PE, 32 patients had a previous history of both DVT and PE, 11 patients had a previous history of DVT and developed PE during hospitalization, 2 patients developed DVT during hospitalization, 33 patients developed PE during hospitalization, and 1 patient developed both DVT and PE during hospitalization. The age, sex, and total CCIs were comparable between the two groups.

Clinical characteristics between case and control groups

Clinical characteristics were compared between case and control groups (Table 2). The case group had a significantly higher proportion of history of alcohol than the control group [50% (8/16) vs.15% (24/160), P=0.002]. Red blood cell and platelet count were significantly lower in the case group than the control group (3.66±0.99 vs. 4.08±0.76, P=0.044; 113.56±78.84 vs. 197.23±105.34, P=0.002, respectively). Albumin was significantly lower in the case group than the control group (31.2±7.50 vs. 35.55±6.40, P=0.012). Total cholesterin was significantly lower in the case group than the control group (3.11±1.31 vs. 4.56±1.81, P=0.006). PT, APTT and INR were significantly higher in the case group than the control group (22.43±8.36 vs. 14.63±3.95, P=0.015; 47.20±14.24 vs. 38.35±8.97, P<0.001; 1.80±0.88 vs. 1.19±0.43, P=0.014, respectively). Fibrinogen was significantly lower in the case group than the control group (2.88±1.76 vs. 3.90±1.69, P=0.022). Child-Pugh score was significantly higher in the case group than the control group (8.75±1.34 vs. 5.90±1.09, P<0.001).

Table 2

Comparison between case group and control group

Variables Case group (n=16) Control group (n=160) P value
No. pts available Results No. pts available Results
Age (year) 16 57.00±11.81; 55 [41–80] 160 59.70±11.80; 60 [37–84] 0.384
Sex (M/F) 16 11/5 160 110/50 1.000
CCIs 16 5.31±1.25; 5 [4–8] 160 5.33±1.25; 5 [4–8] 0.970
History of alcohol (Y/N) 16 8/8 160 24/136 0.002
History of smoking (Y/N) 16 9/7 160 49/111 0.051
Hypertension (Y/N) 16 5/11 160 65/95 0.596
Red blood cell (1012/L) 16 3.66±0.99; 3.45 (1.34–5.19) 156 4.08±0.76; 4.09 (2.05–5.94) 0.044
Hemoglobin (g/L) 16 115.5±31.53; 121 [39–155] 156 125.94±24.68; 127 [60–199] 0.119
White blood cell (109/L) 16 8.71±6.61; 6.2 (2.1–27.6) 156 8.10±3.38; 7.25 (2.7–20.8) 0.720
Platelet (109/L) 16 113.56±78.84; 84 [28–348] 156 197.23±105.34; 185.5 [39–1,153] 0.002
C-reactive protein (mg/L) 6 116.58±105.83; 90.85 (3.2–313.0) 54 41.28±46.26; 19.2 (1.9–216) 0.143
Total bilirubin 16 42.26±66.90; 24.7 (3.5–285.6) 154 15.72±12.08; 12.3 (1.9–65.0) 0.134
Direct bilirubin 16 22.78±43.00; 13.1 (1.8–181.8) 154 5.97±5.63; 4.35 (0.1–35.3) 0.139
Alanine aminotransferase (U/L) 16 386.89±1094.60; 32 [7–4,307] 156 52.91±242.22; 19 [4–2,995] 0.242
Aspartate aminotransferase (U/L) 16 532.99±1549.40; 38 [17–6,209] 156 54.35±214.03; 22 [9–2,603] 0.236
Albumin (g/L) 16 31.2±7.50; 34.05 (17.4–41.2) 139 35.55±6.40; 36.1 (12.6–48.2) 0.012
Glutamyl transpeptidase (U/L) 16 101.03±109.98; 67 [8–415] 155 76.09±98.02; 46 [8–860] 0.339
Blood urea nitrogen (mmol/L) 16 8.25±5.24; 6.70 (2.96–20.91) 148 8.60±6.58; 6.94 (2.55–45.70) 0.841
Creatinine (μmol/L) 16 109.83±120.00; 71 (38.1–524) 148 106.57±148.20; 73.5 (30.8–1,346.7) 0.935
Potassium (mmol/L) 16 4.16±0.75; 3.98 (3.2–5.7) 155 4.03±0.57; 4.03 (2.2–6.2) 0.407
Sodium (mmol/L) 16 138.95±4.07; 138.5 (130.8–146.0) 155 138.96±4.54; 139 (123.9–155.5) 0.994
Total cholesterin (mmol/L) 6 3.11±1.31; 2.81 (1.86–4.77) 84 4.56±1.81; 4.09 (2.33–12.99) 0.006
Triglyceride (mmol/L) 6 0.86±0.39; 0.85 (0.22–1.39) 84 1.84±2.11; 1.37 (0.45–16.23) 0.260
Prothrombin time at admission (second) 16 22.43±8.36; 16.5 (12.9–38.8) 159 14.63±3.95; 13.6 (10.2–37.9) 0.015
Activated partial thromboplastin time at admission (second) 16 47.20±14.24; 45.5 (26.2–87.3) 159 38.35±8.97; 37.7 (0.9–76.1) 0.001
International normalized ratio at admission 16 1.80±0.88; 1.39 (1.00–3.37) 159 1.19±0.43; 1.07 (0.78–4.07) 0.014
Fibrinogen at admission 16 2.88±1.76; 2.64 (1.25–8.43) 157 3.90±1.69; 3.6 (0.53–13.85) 0.022
D-dimer at admission (μg/mL) 13 3.59±4.36; 1.7 (0.1–15.5) 156 2.42±9.21; 0.4 (0.1–80) 0.065
Child-Pugh scores 16 8.75±1.34; 8.5 [7–11] 160 5.90±1.09; 6 [5–10] 0.000

Antithrombotic therapies between case and control group

In the case group, 7 patients received anticoagulant therapies and 1 patient received both anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapies (Table S2). Anticoagulants included low molecular weight heparin alone (n=4), warfarin alone (n=2), and both low molecular weight heparin and warfarin (n=2). Thrombolytics included alteplase (n=1) for acute stage of PE.

In the control group, 134 patients received anticoagulant therapies and 11 patients received both anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapies (Table S3). Anticoagulants included low molecular weight heparin alone (n=59), unfractionated heparin alone (n=5), warfarin alone (n=15), both low molecular weight heparin and warfarin (n=64), and both unfractionated heparin and warfarin (n=2). Thrombolytics included alteplase (n=8) and urokinase (n=3) for acute stage of PE.

Rate of antithrombotic therapies was significantly lower in the case group than the control group [50% (8/16) vs. 90.6% (145/160), P<0.001].

Rate of anticoagulant therapies was significantly lower in the case group than the control group [50% (8/16) vs. 90.6% (145/160), P<0.001]. The ratio of length of anticoagulant therapy to that of hospital stay was significantly lower in the case group than the control group (41% vs. 87%, P<0.001).

Rate of thrombolytic therapies was not significantly different between case and control groups [6.25% (1/16) vs. 6.88% (11/160), P=1.000].

Major bleeding between case and control group

The incidence of major bleeding was significantly higher in the case group than the control group [43.8% (7/16) vs. 13.8% (22/160), P=0.006]. Location of major bleeding was shown in Table 3. After the exclusion of variceal bleeding, the incidence of major bleeding was not significantly different between case and control groups [6.2% (1/16) vs. 13.8% (22/160), P=0.698].

Table 3

Locations of major bleeding

Locations Case Control
Gastrointestinal bleeding 7 9
   Variceal bleeding confirmed by endoscopy 6 0
   Ulcer confirmed by endoscopy 0 2
   Intestinal bleedings confirmed by endoscopy 0 1
   Hemobilia 0 1
   Unknown source or no endoscopic examination 1 5
Respiratory bleeding 0 3
Hemoptysis 0 2
Intracranial hemorrhage 0 1
Unknown 0 7
Total 7 22

In the case group, the incidence of major bleeding was not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive anticoagulant therapies [25% (2/8) vs. 62.5% (5/8), P=0.315]. The interval between the initiation of anticoagulation and occurrence of major bleeding is 5 or 6 days in the two patients who received anticoagulant therapies (Table S2). The incidence of major bleeding was not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive thrombolytic therapies [0% (0/1) vs. 46.7% (7/15), P=1.000].

In the control group, the incidence of major bleeding was not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive anticoagulant therapies [13.1% (19/145) vs. 20% (3/15), P=0.437]. The average interval between the initiation of anticoagulation and occurrence of major bleeding is 5.21 (1-12) days in the patients who received anticoagulant therapies (Table S3). The incidence of major bleeding was not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive thrombolytic therapies [0% (0/11) vs. 14.8% (22/149), P=0.364].

In-hospital mortality between case and control group

The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the case group than the control group [37.5% (6/16) vs. 7.5% (12/160), P=0.002]. Causes of death were shown in Table 4.

Table 4

Causes of in-hospital death

Causes Case Control
Massive gastrointestinal bleeding 1 0
Liver failure 1 0
Pulmonary embolism + multiple organ failure 1 0
Pulmonary embolism 2 2
Acute myocardial infarction 1 1
Respiratory failure 0 5
Respiratory failure + massive gastrointestinal bleeding 0 1
Multiple organ failure 0 2
Cerebrovascular disease 0 1
Total 6 12

In the case group, the in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive anticoagulant therapies [25% (2/8) vs. 50% (4/8), P=0.608]. The in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive thrombolytic therapies [100% (1/1) vs. 33.3% (5/15), P=0.375].

In the control group, the in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between patients who received and did not receive anticoagulant therapies [7.6% (11/145) vs. 6.7% (1/15), P=1.000]. The in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between patients who received or did not receive thrombolytic therapies [0% (0/11) vs. 8.1% (12/149), P=1.000].


Discussion

The mortality of VTE in our study appears to be higher than the results of the Framingham Heart Study that the mortality of VTE was 145/1,000 person years (33). This phenomenon might be explained by a higher proportion of patients with CCIs of greater than 4 and a higher proportion of patients with PE in our study.

Our study demonstrated that liver cirrhosis had an unfavorable impact on the in-hospital outcomes of VTE patients. This finding seems to be consistent with that of Spencer et al. (34) that sicker patients are more prone to thromboembolic events and have worse prognosis. Liver cirrhosis is an end-stage of liver diseases and is often complicated by lethal portal hypertension related complications, such as variceal bleeding, ascites, encephalopathy, and infection (35). Obviously, our cirrhotic patients had higher total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamyltranspeptidase, and Child-Pugh scores and lower albumin due to liver dysfunction.

Current practice guideline provides a class 1A recommendation for the administration of thromboprophylaxis in patients with VTE. However, such recommendations may be inappropriate to the patients with liver cirrhosis (36). Use of anticoagulation for the prophylaxis and treatment of VTE in cirrhosis remains controversial due to the potential bleeding risk. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the safety of anticoagulants in patients with cirrhosis (37-40). Our previous systematic review showed that the pooled incidence of bleeding in cirrhotic patients receiving anticoagulation was 3.3% (40). By comparison, the present study demonstrated a higher rate of major bleeding in cirrhotic patients receiving anticoagulation, which was more likely attributed to a higher CCI of ≥4. Patients with liver cirrhosis had a higher rate of major bleeding than those without. Indeed, after excluding variceal bleeding, the rate of major bleeding was lower in patients with liver cirrhosis than those without. This phenomenon suggested that the risk of bleeding in such patients should be primarily due to portal hypertension, but not systemic haemostatic impairment.

We found that the risk of major bleeding was not significantly associated with anticoagulation in patients with liver cirrhosis and VTE. In addition, there is no statistically significant association between anticoagulation and an increased risk of in-hospital death in such patients. Notably, the in-hospital mortality might be lower in cirrhotic patients with VTE who received anticoagulation than those who did not receive anticoagulation. This might reflect the benefits of anticoagulation in resolving VTE and improving the survival. Thus, anticoagulant therapy, rather than a “wait-and-see” strategy, might be considered for the management of VTE in liver cirrhosis.

Our study had several limitations. First, the patient selection bias should not be neglected due to the retrospective study in a single-center even though we have very few exclusion criteria. Second, the absence of analyses regarding therapeutic administration route (41) and dosages and quality of anticoagulation (42) may restrict our interpretation about the impact of anticoagulation. Third, there was a relatively small sample size of patients with cirrhosis and VTE. The statistical power is hardly achieved in some analyses.

In conclusion, liver cirrhosis may increase the incidence of major bleeding and in-hospital mortality in patients with VTE. Anticoagulant therapy may not be associated with the risk of major bleeding and in-hospital mortality in cirrhotic patients with VTE. Well-designed prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to establish the risks and benefits of anticoagulation for VTE in cirrhosis.

Table S1

Charlson comorbidity index

Comorbidity Scores
History of myocardial infarction +1
Congestive heart failure +1
Cerebrovascular disease +1
Chronic pulmonary disease +1
Connective tissue disease +1
Peptic ulcer disease +1
Mild liver disease (no portal hypertension, includes chronic hepatitis) +1
Diabetes without end-organ damage +1
Peripheral disease +1
Hemiplegia +2
Moderate or severe renal disease +2
Diabetes with end-organ damage +2
Moderate or severe liver disease +3
AIDS +6

AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Table S2

Anticoagulants and major bleeding in the case group

No. Acute stage of VTE Anticoagulants Dosages of anticoagulants before major bleeding or during hospitalization Frequency of anticoagulants (per day) Thrombolytics Dosages of thrombolytics before major bleeding or during hospitalization Frequency of thrombolytics (per day) Major bleeding Interval between major bleeding and use of anticoagulants (days)
1 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
2 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
3 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 Yes 6
4 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 2.5 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg 1 No
5 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,000 iu 1 Yes 5
6 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 6,400 iu 2 No
7 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
8 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 6,100 u; 2.5 mg 2; 1 No

Table S3

Anticoagulants and major bleeding in the control group

No. Acute stage of VTE Anticoagulants Dosages of anticoagulants before major bleeding or during hospitalization Frequency of anticoagulants (per day) Thrombolytics Dosages of thrombolytics before major bleeding or during hospitalization Frequency of thrombolytics (per day) Major bleeding Interval between major bleeding and use of anticoagulants (days)
1 No Enoxaparin 20 mg 1 No
2 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 Yes 1
3 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 1 No
4 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
5 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 1; 1 No
6 No Enoxaparin 40 mg 1 Yes 3
7 Yes Enoxaparin 70 mg 2 Yes 4
8 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 40 mg; 2.25 mg 2; 1 Yes 5
9 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 Yes 6
10 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 1; 1 No
11 No Enoxaparin 80 mg 2 No
12 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
13 No Fondaparinux sodium 2.5 mg 1 No
14 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
15 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
16 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 1; 1 No
17 No Low molecular weight heparin calciumWarfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
18 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 1 Yes 6
19 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 4.5 mg 1; 1 No
20 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
21 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
22 Yes Low molecular weight heparin sodium 6,375 iu 2 Urokinase 50 wu 1 No
23 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 32.5 mg 2; 1 No
24 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
25 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 60 mg; 2.75 mg 2; 1 No
26 No Heparin calcium; Warfarin 3,750 u; 3.75 mg 1; 2 No
27 Yes Enoxaparin 40 mg 1 Yes 5
28 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 1 No
29 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 1 No
30 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
31 No Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No
32 No Warfarin 2.25 mg 1 No
33 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 Yes 8
34 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 1 No
35 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 6 mg 2; 1 No
36 Yes Heparin calcium 7,500 u 1 No
37 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
38 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
39 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
40 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
41 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
42 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
43 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 4.5 mg 2; 1 No
44 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
45 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
46 Yes Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No
47 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 2.5 mg 2; 1 Yes 4
48 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 1 No
49 No Low molecular weight heparin sodium 6,375 iu 2 No
50 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
51 Yes Enoxaparin; Warfarin 85 mg; 4.5 mg 2; 1 No
52 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3.25 mg 2; 1 No
53 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
54 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
55 Yes Heparin calcium 5,000 u 2 No
56 Yes Warfarin 4.5 mg 1 No
57 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3.5 mg 1; 1 No
58 No Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No
59 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
60 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
61 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
62 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 4 mg 2; 1 No
63 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 2.75 mg 2; 1 No
64 No Enoxaparin 60 mg 2 No
65 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
66 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,000 iu 1 Yes 6
67 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
68 Yes Enoxaparin 60 mg 2 No
69 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
70 Yes Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No
71 Yes Low molecular weight heparin sodium 6,375 iu 2 No
72 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 1.5 mg 2; 1 No
73 Yes Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No
74 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
75 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3.5 mg 1; 1 Yes 2
76 Yes Low molecular weight heparin sodium 6,375 iu 2 No
77 No Low molecular weight heparin sodium 6,375 iu 1 No
78 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,000 iu; 2.5 mg 1; 1 Urokinase 50 wu 1 No
79 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 7,000 iu 2 No
80 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 Yes 3
81 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
82 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 4 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
83 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 4 mg 2; 1 No
84 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
85 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
86 No Warfarin 3.25 mg 1 No
87 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 Urokinase 50 wu 1 No
88 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 4 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
89 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 4 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
90 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3.5 mg 2; 1 Yes 8
91 Yes Fondaparinux sodium; Warfarin 2.5 mg; 3.5 mg 1; 1 No
92 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
93 Yes Heparin calcium 7,500 u 2 No
94 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 40 mg; 3 mg 2; 1 No
95 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
96 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
97 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 Yes 1
98 Yes Low molecular weight heparin sodium 6,375 iu 2 No
99 No Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No
100 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 60 mg; 3 mg 2; 1 No
101 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 2.5 mg 2; 1 Yes 8
102 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 6,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
103 No Fondaparinux sodium; Warfarin 2.5 mg; 1.5 mg 1; 1 No
104 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 40 mg; 3 mg 2; 1 No
105 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 5 mg 2; 1 No
106 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,250 iu 2 No
107 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 2 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
108 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 60 mg; 3 mg 2; 1 No
109 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 1 mg 2; 1 No
110 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 2.5 mg 2; 1 No
111 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 20 mg; 2.75 mg 2; 1 No
112 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
113 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 40 mg; 3 mg 2; 1 No
114 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
115 No Low molecular weight heparin sodium 6,375 iu 2 No
116 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
117 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium 5,000 iu 2 No
118 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 2.75 mg 2; 1 No
119 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
120 No Heparin calcium; Warfarin 3,750 u; 4.5 mg 1; 1 No
121 No Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No
122 Yes Heparin calcium 7,500 u 2 Yes 7
123 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium 4,000 iu 2 Yes 3
124 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 Yes 12
125 No Fondaparinux sodium; Warfarin 2.5 mg; 3 mg 1; 1 No
126 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 2.75 mg 2; 1 No
127 No Fondaparinux sodium; Warfarin 2.5 mg; 22.5 mg 1; 1 No
128 No Enoxaparin 60 mg 2 No
129 No Warfarin 3 mg 1 No
130 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
131 No Fondaparinux sodium 2.5 mg 1 No
132 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 6,000 iu; 2.5 mg 2; 1 No
133 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
134 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3.25 mg 2; 1 No
135 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 2.75 mg 2; 1 No
136 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 40 mg; 3 mg 2; 1 No
137 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 5,000 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
138 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 40 mg; 2.75 mg 2; 1 No
139 Yes Enoxaparin; Warfarin 60 mg; 3 mg 2; 1 No
140 No Heparin calcium 5,000 u 2 Yes 7
141 No Enoxaparin; Warfarin 60 mg; 3.25 mg 2; 1 No
142 No Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
143 Yes Enoxaparin; Warfarin 40 mg; 2.25 mg 2; 1 Alteplase 50 mg Once No
144 Yes Low molecular weight heparin calcium; Warfarin 4,250 iu; 3 mg 2; 1 No
145 No Enoxaparin 40 mg 2 No

Acknowledgements

Funding: None.


Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/amj.2017.02.11). The work is partially presented as a poster in the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver Single Topic Conference—6th HBV Conference, Beijing, China. Dr. Qi serves as an Editor-in-Chief of AME Medical Journal. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). The protocol of our study was approved by the Ethics Committee of General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area (approval number: k201602). Informed written consents were waived.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.


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doi: 10.21037/amj.2017.02.11
Cite this article as: Zhang X, Qi X, De Stefano V, Zhu Z, Qiao R, Guo X. Impact of liver cirrhosis on the outcomes of patients with venous thromboembolism: a case-control study. AME Med J 2017;2:26.

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