Background: The ratio of von Willebrand Factor to platelets (VITRO) reflects the severity of fibrosis and portal hypertension and might thus hold prognostic value.
Methods: Patients with compensated cirrhosis were recruited. VITRO, Child-Pugh score (CPS) and MELD were determined at study entry. Hepatic decompensation was defined as variceal bleeding, ascites or hepatic encephalopathy. Liver transplantation and death were recorded.
Results: One hundred and ninety-four patients with compensated cirrhosis (CPS-A 89%, B 11%; 56% male; median age 56 years; 50% with varices) were included. During a median follow-up of 45 months (IQR 29-61), decompensation occurred in 35 (18%) patients and 14 (7%) patients deceased. The risk of hepatic decompensation was significantly increased in the n = 88 (45%) patients with a VITRO ≥ 2.5 (p < 0.001). Patients with a VITRO ≥ 2.5 had a higher probability of decompensation at 1-year 9% (95% CI 3-16) vs. 0% (95% CI 0-0) and at 2-years 18% (95% CI 10-27%), vs. 4% (95% CI 0-8%) as compared to patients with VITRO < 2.5. Patients with VITRO ≥ 2.5, the estimated 1-year/2-year survival rates were at 98% (95% CI 95-100%) and 94% (95% CI 88-99%) as compared to 100% (95% CI 100-100%) both in the patients with a VITRO < 2.5 (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, albumin and MELD, VITRO ≥ 2.5 remained as significant predictor of transplant-free mortality (HR 1.38, CI 1.09-1.76; p = 0.007). Patients with compensated cirrhosis and VITRO > 2.1 after hepatitis C eradication remained at significantly increased risk for decompensation (p = 0.033).
Conclusions: VITRO is a valuable prognostic tool for estimating the risk of decompensation and mortality in patients with compensated cirrhosis-including the setting after hepatitis C eradication.
Keywords: Cirrhosis; Hepatic decompensation; Mortality; Platelets; von Willebrand Factor antigen.