McAfee et al listed a number of indications for when to perform a transjugular liver biopsy.
Major criteria:
(1) significant coagulation disorder (thrombocytopenia with platelet count < 60,000 per µL and/or prothrombin time more than 3 seconds above the upper limit of the normal reference range and/or severe hereditary bleeding disorder)
(2) moderate or severe ascites
(3) other reasons to place an intrahepatic vascular catheter (venous pressure measurement, portography, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt)
Minor criteria:
(1) morbid obesity
(2) small, cirrhotic liver
(3) suspected peliosis hepatis or vascular tumor
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