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Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a complete or partial obstruction owing to thrombus of the portal venous system; the development of a cavernoma (cavernous transformation) indicates chronic thrombosis. In the current position paper, the authors review the incidence and natural history of PVT in patients with cirrhosis and propose new classification criteria.
The cumulative incidence of PVT in patients with cirrhosis has been estimated at 5%–13%, 10%–20%, and about 39% at years 1, 5, and 8–10, respectively. The natural history of PVT in this population is highly variable. Spontaneous resolution is reported to occur in 31%–70% of cases, regression in up to 47%, stable disease in 45%, and progression in 7%. PVT is symptomatic in an estimated 38%…