Cytopenias in liver disease are a common finding. In the past they have mostly been attributed to pooling and/or destruction of blood cells in the enlarged spleen, leading to the term 'hypersplenism'. With recent advances in the understanding of the physiology of blood formation, in particular with the discovery of several haematopoietic growth factors, new insight into the pathophysiology of blood cell derangements in liver disease has been obtained. Recombinant haematopoietic growth factors present new opportunities for support of the haematopoietic system, which is required because of toxic antiviral therapies or surgical interventions in these patients.
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