Portal Venous Thrombosis

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a blood clot of the portal vein, also known as the hepatic portal vein. This vein allows blood to flow from the intestines to the liver. A PVT blocks this blood flow. Although PVT is treatable, it can be life-threatening.

What are common risk factors of PVT?

Blood clots are more likely to form when the blood flows irregularly in the body. While doctors typically don’t know what causes portal vein thrombosis, there are a number of risk factors for developing this condition. Some of the most common include:

• inflammation of the pancreas
• appendicitis
• naval infection from the umbilical cord stump in infants
• polycythemia, or excess red blood cells
• cancer
• oral contraceptives
• cirrhosis of the liver
• liver disease
• trauma or injury