The Effect of Rifaximin on Portal Vein Thrombosis

The Effect of Rifaximin on Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhotic Patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of rifaximin in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients

Portal vein thrombosis is not an uncommon complication in cirrhotic portal hypertension, which lead to a poor prognosis in endoscopic management of variceal bleeding. Evidence indicated that enoxaparin prevented PVT and liver decompensation via decreased rates of bacterial infections and lowered the potent inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6. Rifaximin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that exerts endotoxin-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 y.o. ≤age≤75 y.o
• Cirrhotic patients had CTA confirmed portal vein trombosis
• D-dimer no more than five times the normal upper limit

Exclusion Criteria:

• age <18 y.o. or age > 75 y.o.
• had portal cavernoma
• received anticoagulation treatment in the past 6 months
• splenectomy
• Known infection after endoscopic treatment (Fever, microbial cultures positive, et al.)
• Massive ascites or combined with other high risk factor that require prophylaxis use of antibiotics.
• Acute variceal bleeding within 5 days.
• Use of other antibiotics in the past 2 weeks
• Acute portal vein thrombosis