Abdominal Vein Blood Clots

Helping You Manage Portal, Splenic, and Mesenteric Vein Blockages

The veins in your abdomen are also known as your splanchnic veins. Like blood vessels in other parts of your body, they can develop a clot (thrombosis) that blocks the flow of blood. Blood clots in this area of the body are often associated with diseases of the liver, bone marrow, spleen, bowel, and pancreas. When blood flow is limited, parts of your digestive system may not get the nutrients and oxygen they need. Organs may not work correctly and a variety of other complications may develop.

The Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis Clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is part of the Liver Center, and your care team will work collaboratively with experts in Interventional Radiology, Hematology and Liver Surgery Clinic in the management of thrombosis of the veins in the abdomen and the associated complications. 

Making a Diagnosis

Veins we focus on at the clinic include:

• Portal vein: Carries blood from your abdominal organs to your liver. (Clots may develop inside your liver as well.)

• Splenic vein: Carries blood from your spleen to your portal vein, where it eventually moves to your liver.

• Superior mesenteric vein: Moves blood from your intestines to your liver.

• Hepatic vein: Carries blood flow from your liver back to your heart. 

A variety of factors can contribute to blood clots in these veins. Diseases of your liver, bone marrow, spleen, bowel, and pancreas are among them.

Symptoms of these clots may vary depending on their type and location. If doctors suspect an abdominal vein blood clot, they will conduct a physical exam and may order imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan. They may also do a special type of imaging test called an angiogram. Blood tests are used if you are experiencing abnormal clotting and to assess organ function. Endoscopic procedures allow us to view your digestive tract, and other non-invasive tests to assess your liver for fibrosis or scarring also used in the management of patients with these conditions.

Abdominal Vein Blood Clot Treatment

Once you get a diagnosis, we design a treatment plan tailored to your needs. At the clinic, you benefit from a team of experts that have developed novel techniques to help manage these complex conditions. 

• Gastroenterologists/hepatologists: They are experts in the diagnosis and care of liver disease and non-liver-associated portal hypertension. Portal hypertension refers to increased pressure within your portal venous system.
• Hematologists: They provide detailed workups and manage a broad range of medication options if you have a blood-related condition.
• Interventional radiologists: They offer novel solutions to complex or chronic clots that fail conventional therapies. Interventional radiology uses imaging to guide minimally invasive surgical procedures.

We consolidate your care into one multidisciplinary clinic visit. That makes it easy for you to see all the experts you might need to see. Specific treatments may include the following:

• Blood thinning medication
• Procedures to remove a vein blockage, widen a vein or repair damage caused by your clot
• Therapeutic phlebotomy (removing blood from your body)

We also work with you to prevent future clots.