Apixaban Prevents Portal Vein Thrombosis After Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection

Apixaban for Prevention of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Cirrhotic Patients After Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection for Portal Hypertension

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Apixaban is effective and safe in Prevention of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Cirrhotic Patients after Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection

After successful screening the cases of cirrhosis of liver irrespective of the etiology who have no portal vein thrombosis will be enrolled. From postoperative day three, patients in apixaban group will receive oral Apixaban 2.5mg bid for six months, and be along with five days of subcutaneous injection of Low Molecular Weight Heparin and three months of oral Dipyridamole. The Doppler screening for the occurrence of portal vein thrombus (PVT) or spleno-mesenteric thrombosis will be done for all patients at baseline, on postoperative months (POD) 7, at postoperative months (POM) 1, 3, and 6. All groups will receive the therapy for six months irrespective of the Doppler findings in relation to portal vein thrombus occurrence. Then six months monitoring will be done as per the primary outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. A clinical, radiological or histologic diagnosis of cirrhosis of any etiology
2. Splenomegaly with secondary hypersplenism
3. Bleeding portal hypertension
4. No evidence of PVT or spleno-mesenteric thrombosis by ultrasound evaluation and angio-CT
5. Informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Hepatocellular carcinoma or any other malignancy,
2. Hypercoagulable state other than the liver disease related
3. DRUGS- oral contraceptives, anticoagulation or anti-platelet drugs.
4. Child - Pugh C
5. Recent peptic ulcer disease
6. History of Hemorrhagic stroke
7. Pregnancy.
8. Uncontrolled Hypertension
9. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection