Open AccessAscites-induced LeVeen Shunt Coagulopathy
Author(s) -
Margaret V. Ragni,
Jessica H. Lewis,
Joel A. Spero
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198307000-00018
Subject(s) - medicine , coagulopathy , ascites , peritoneovenous shunt , disseminated intravascular coagulation , transaminase , fibrin , clotting factor , ascitic fluid , coagulation testing , shunt (medical) , gastroenterology , surgery , coagulation , immunology , biochemistry , chemistry , enzyme
Ten of 11 patients undergoing peritoneovenous (LeVeen) shunt placement for intractable ascites had disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) following the shunt procedure. Intraoperative ascitic fluid specimens revealed fibrin split products (FSP) in high titer (1:100-1:1600) in all patients. Endotoxin was found in 6 of 11 ascitic fluid samples but in no plasma samples. Activated clotting factors, clot inhibitors, excess protein, and fibrinolytic activity were not found in ascitic fluid. Clotting factor levels were much lower than in plasma. Bleeding occurred after operation in two patients; this appeared to be related to the severity of liver dysfunction as demonstrated by elevations of bilirubin, serum glutamic oxalocetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and preoperative DIC. It is concluded that the LeVeen shunt coagulopathy is DIC, and may be related to exposure of the systemic circulation to FSP-rich ascitic fluid that may activate the coagulation mechanism. Bleeding complications do not appear to be related to the severity of the post shunt coagulopathy, but rather to the severity of liver dysfunction and presence of preoperative DIC (probably caused by the liver disease).