Introduction: thrombocytopenia in chronic liver disease - treatment implications and novel approaches

Background Thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic toxicity among patients with chronic liver disease. Aim To give a brief overview of thrombocytopenia and its effects on patients with chronic liver disease. Results Thrombocytopenia is generally mild to moderate in severity and can thus be managed relatively easily. Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50,000/mu L), however, may present significant challenges to patient management. Thrombocytopenia can increase the risk of bleeding associated with invasive or surgical procedures. Therefore, while perhaps less widely appreciated than the impact of anemia or neutropenia, effective prevention and management of thrombocytopenia is also critical for patients with liver disease. Conclusions This supplement to Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics provides a comprehensive review of the significance of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease, its pathophysiology and relationship to coagulation disorders, impact on clinical care and resource utilization, and novel therapies that may be able to supplant platelet transfusions.