Primer for Value of D-dimer and protein S for diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis (Dong-Lei Zhang, Jian-Yu Hao and Ning Yang 2013)
Lance Boedigheimer
Abstract
In 2013, liver cirrhosis was estimated to be responsible for over 40,000 deaths—a number that is expected to increase in coming years (Deitelzweig et al., 2013). Nearly one out of every four patients suffering from cirrhosis develops pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT), a serious condition with the potential of leading to life-threatening complications (Zhang, Hao and Yang 2013). In their article Value of D-dimer and protein S for diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis, Dong-Lei Zhang, Jian-Yu Hao and Ning Yang look at D-dimer and Protein S (two factors playing a role in the coagulation process) as potential diagnostic factors for PVT among cirrhotic patients. This study takes a step toward establishing methods for early diagnosis and treatment of PVT in cirrhotic patients, in turn helping these patients avoid potential life-threatening complications PVT carries with it. The aim of this paper is to provide explanations of the important details in the Zhang, Hao and Yang article as well as the background information necessary to understand the article.
