Semin Liver Dis 2012; 32(01): 039-048
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1306425
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Hypercoagulation and Thrombophilia in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Mechanisms, Human Evidence, Therapeutic Implications, and Preventive Implications

Patrick G. Northup
1   Coagulation in Liver Disease Study Group, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
,
Curtis K. Argo
1   Coagulation in Liver Disease Study Group, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
,
Neeral Shah
1   Coagulation in Liver Disease Study Group, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
,
Stephen H. Caldwell
1   Coagulation in Liver Disease Study Group, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
13 March 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of disorders with a high prevalence in the industrialized world. Despite the high prevalence, the etiology and fundamental pathophysiology for the disease process is poorly understood. There is now a growing fund of knowledge suggesting that the ongoing inflammatory state associated with NAFLD leads to a low-level activation of the coagulation system. Although the data supporting this activation of the coagulation system are significant, the link with end-organ disease, mainly cardiovascular disease, is less firm and mostly epidemiological. In this review, we will explore the evidence for and against a hypercoagulable or thrombophilic state in NAFLD. We will examine possible pathophysiologic explanations and mechanisms, human epidemiologic and population-based data, and the possible therapeutic and preventative implications for treatment of thrombophilia in patients with this disease process.