Cytomegalovirus-associated splanchnic vein thrombosis in immunocompetent patients: A systematic review.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) occur in more than 5% of hospitalized patients with acute CMV infection. In immunocompetent patients, splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) and splenic infarction have been suggested to represent approximately half of the published cases of CMV-associated VTE. We performed a systematic review of the literature with the aim to describe epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, and natural history of CMV-associated SVT in immunocompetent patients.

Methods: Studies were identified by a PubMed and Google Scholar electronic database search until January 2018. All published papers describing immunocompetent adults with SVT occurring concomitantly to an acute CMV infection were included.

Results: Forty-four patients with CMV-associated SVT were described in 38 papers. Twenty-three patients were male, mean age was 38.1 years (range, 17-68). Symptomatic SVT occurred in 31 patients, incidental SVT in 13 patients. In symptomatic SVT, an acute and severe onset with small bowel or splenic infarction required surgical treatment for resolution in 22.6% of cases. Anticoagulation induced both a favourable clinical outcome and a recanalization of SVT in more than 70% of the remaining cases. In incidental SVT, a favourable clinical outcome and a complete recanalization of SVT by anticoagulation were reported in more than 80% of cases. No patient with CMV-associated SVT died and no SVT recurrence was reported.

Conclusions: CMV-associated SVT has probably a favourable clinical course in most patients. Only future, well-designed, prospective studies with an adequate follow-up will allow to confirm the data of published cases.