Venous-Occlusive Hepatic Disease / Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome: update of the pathophysiological aspects, diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options

Abstract

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is clinically characterized by painful hepatomegaly, jaundice, ascites, edema, weight gain and / or refractory thrombocytopenia, which usually occurs as a complication of bone marrow transplantation and chemotherapy in some solid tumors. The pathophysiology is complex and is related to endothelial damage in the hepatic sinusoids that conditions a proinflammatory, prothrombotic and hypofibrinolytic state. The treatment depends on the severity of each case, when there are mild to moderate cases a spontaneous resolution is presented requiring support measures and symptomatic treatment; while in severe or very severe cases it is necessary to add specific treatment due to the high mortality that these patients present. Considering the high mortality and the scarce therapeutic options currently approved, the identification of risk factors remains the main strategy to reduce the incidence of this disease.