Comparison of Decompensated Cirrhosis With and Without Patent Paraumbilical Vein

Abstract

A patent paraumbilical vein (PUV) is a finding predominantly in patients with cirrhosis, with controversy regarding the clinical significance. This study evaluated whether there is a difference between patients with hepatitis B virus— and hepatitis C virus—related decompensated cirrhosis of Child-Pugh class C with and without a patent PUV. Fifty patients with patent PUV were selected and 50 patients without patent PUV were matched according to age and gender, and age and gender were of no significant difference between the two groups. Patent PUV was determined by Doppler duplex sonography, and laboratory data and clinical data were collected and studied. The results showed that the patent PUV of cirrhosis of Child-Pugh class C produces no additional significant impact on liver function, incidence, and bleeding of esophageal varices or hepatic encephalopathy.