Viatorr支架在门静脉高压合并上消化道出血的临床应用

目的：观察Viatorr支架在经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉分流术（TIPS）中治疗门静脉高压合并上消化道出血的临床效果。 方法：收集2016年11月至2017年10月我院收治的因门静脉高压合并食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者17例,使用Viatorr支架行TIPS治疗。测量Viatorr支架分流前后门腔静脉压力梯度（PSG）值变化,手术前后肝功能、血氨、凝血酶原时间变化,以及术后支架通畅率与再出血情况,并对临床疗效及并发症情况进行分析。 结果：17例患者均获得100%技术性成功。TIPS术后的PSG为（14.47±3.39）mmHg,比术前的（25.47±5.77）mmHg明显降低,差异有统计学意义（t=12.015,P<0.05）。TIPS术后1 d,血氨较术前有所升高[（55.38 ±9.27）μmol/L vs.（40.60±8.14）μmol/L,P<0.05],而术后1周的血氨较术前没有明显变化[（34.77±5.01）μmol/L vs.（40.60±8.14）μmol/L,P>0.05],手术前后的总胆红素、白蛋白、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、凝血酶原时间差异无统计学意义。17例患者中16例存活,1例于术后52 d并发肺部感染致呼吸衰竭死亡;4例患者出现I期或II期肝性脑病,纠正后症状逆转;所有患者至随访结束均未再出现呕血、黑便等症状,所有病例术后1周及3个月后均行腹部彩超或增强CT检查,至随访结束（或死亡前）TIPS分流通道血流通畅,通畅率100%,2例合并腹水患者复查腹水消失。术后1~3个月内4例患者复查胃镜,均提示食管胃底曲张静脉缓解或消失。 结论：TIPS术中使用Viatorr支架能明显降低门静脉压力,维持分流道的长期通畅,降低上消化道再出血率,术后肝性脑病并发率在可控制范围内,是门静脉高压患者的一种安全有效的治疗手段。     

提高经颈静脉肝内门体分流术治疗门静脉闭塞技术成功率的辅助靶标手段北大核心CSCD

目的 探讨提高经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)治疗门静脉闭塞(PVO)技术成功率的辅助靶标手段及其安全性和有效性。方法 纳入22例应用辅助靶标手段行TIPS治疗的PVO患者。其中11例应用经皮经肝门静脉靶标(PTPVT)技术,10例应用肝动脉导丝靶标(HAT)技术,1例两种辅助手段联合应用。结果 1例失败,技术成功率为95.5%(21/22)。成功建立分流道患者门静脉压力梯度(PPG)由(28.4±7.7) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)降至(12.1±4.5) mmHg(P<0.01)。术中未出现危及生命的严重并发症。中位随访时间14.9个月,术后累积支架通畅率为81.8%(18/22);6例发生静脉曲张再出血,累积再出血率为27.3%;3例出现肝性脑病;1例因发生感染死亡。结论 TIPS是治疗PVO的安全有效方法,辅助靶标手段可提高TIPS的技术成功率。     

观察改良TIPS在治疗门静脉高压消化道出血中的应用

目的观察改良TIPS在胃食管出血应用中的技术可行性及临床效果。 方法收集接受改良TIPS治疗的肝硬化门静脉消化道出血的患者56例。操作技术改良是在线阵血管探头引导下穿刺右颈内静脉,引入导丝并将Rups-100穿刺系统送至肝右静脉,自肝静脉向门静脉穿刺成功后,引入加强硬度导丝至肠系膜上静脉,撤出Rups-100穿刺系统,直接将8 mm×40 mm球囊经12F鞘沿加硬导丝快速通过肝静脉-肝实质-门静脉,扩张球囊并保留球囊上肝静脉和门静脉切迹图像。支架技术改良是先释放1枚8 mm×60 mm的裸支架,根据球囊切迹,再释放1枚8 mm×40 mm的覆膜支架,覆膜部分覆盖实质全程而不阻挡同侧门静脉入肝血流,其余部分伸入肝静脉内,常规用弹簧栓子和明胶海绵栓塞胃冠状静脉。测量分流前后门静脉压力变化。 结果56例均获得技术性成功,成功率为100%。分流道建立前后门静脉压力分别为（31.20±3.98）mmHg和（17.36±3.48）mmHg,平均下降幅度为（13.839±2.585）mmHg（t=40.062,P<0.001）。随访1～3年。1、2、3年分流道通畅率分别为89.3%、75.0%、67.8%;再出血率分别为7.1%、12.5%、16.1%;肝性脑病发生率为12.5%。有1例术后第2天出现腹腔感染,抗感染治疗7天后好转;有7例于术后1～3年内因分流道完全闭塞而复发再出血,分别给予了介入开通和覆膜支架植入。所有病例均未出现其他严重并发症。5例在随访期间分别死于肝衰竭、肝癌和多器官衰竭。 结论通过对支架的改良,采用模拟Viatorr支架方法能够提高TIPS分流道的中远期通畅率,降低再出血率;简化TIPS操作步骤可减少与技术操作相关的并发症。     

采用专用覆膜支架行经颈静脉肝内门体分流术2年随访观察

【摘要】 目的 探讨专用覆膜支架行经颈静脉肝内门体分流术（TIPS）治疗肝硬化的临床效果。方法 回顾性分析2017年4月至2018年12月在南方医科大学南方医院接受Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗的连续117例肝硬化患者临床资料。其中男86例，女31例；年龄25～75岁，平均（50.89±11.26）岁。手术前后门静脉压力梯度（PPG）比较采用t检验，GraphPad Prism 8.0软件分析术后分流道累计通畅率、累计生存率、肝性脑病累计发生率和肝癌累计发生率。 结果 支架植入成功率为100%。术后患者PPG由术前平均（23.19±5.92） mmHg（1 mmHg=0.133 kPa）降低至平均（10.19±3.81） mmHg（P＜0.05）。围手术期死亡4例（3.4%）。113例患者随访3～36个月，平均（23.16±7.65）个月。随访期分流道再狭窄发生率为2.7%（3/113）；总体肝性脑病发生率为15.9%（18/113），显性肝性脑病为5.3%（6/113）；病死率为8.0%（9/113）；肝癌发生率为6.2%（7/113）。2例接受肝移植术。 结论 采用Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗肝硬化安全有效，中期分流道通畅率高，肝性脑病发生率较低。     

Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血效果评估

目的评价应用Viatorr支架行经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)术治疗门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血的可行性、安全性和临床效果。方法回顾性分析2015年10月至2018年11月收治的42例肝硬化门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血患者临床资料,所有患者符合TIPS治疗指征,均接受Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗。术中检测门静脉压力梯度(PPG)。术后1、3、6、12个月,之后每年随访超声或增强CT检查,评价分流道通畅情况,并通过电子病历、临床或电话随访患者肝功能、凝血4项、再出血、肝性脑病发生和生存时间。配对t检验分析术前、术后PPG、总胆红素、血清白蛋白和凝血酶原时间变化,Kaplan-Meier法分析分流道通畅率和生存率。结果 42例均成功施行TIPS术,技术成功率为100%。共植入直径8 mm Viatorr支架42枚。PPG均值由术前(26.85±6.00) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)降低为(11.62±4.54) mmHg(t=11.359,P<0.05),平均降低(55.63±16.77)%。与术前相比,术后3 d总胆红素浓度升高(P<0.05),血清白蛋白降低(P<0.05),凝血酶原时间延长(P<0.05)。术后1个月总胆红素、血清白蛋白和凝血酶原时间与术前水平差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后中位随访14.5(2~39)个月,再出血发生率为9.5%(4/42),其中1例接受分流道再通;肝性脑病发生率为19.1%(8/42)。术后1、2、3年分流道通畅率分别为91.9%、83.9%、77.4%,生存率分别为94.7%、89.4%、82.0%。肝硬化相关死亡率为9.5%(4/42),均于术后2~30个月死于终末期肝病伴多脏器功能衰竭。结论 Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗肝硬化门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血具有较高的技术成功率,术后分流道通畅率高,肝性脑病发生率低。     

限流支架治疗经颈静脉肝内门体分流术后难治性肝性脑病效果和安全性分析

【摘要】 目的 评价限流支架治疗经颈静脉肝内门体分流术（TIPS）后难治性肝性脑病（HE）的效果和安全性。方法 回顾性分析单中心2016年1月至2019年12月收治的12例TIPS术后确诊为难治性HE患者临床资料。所有患者均经常规药物治疗无效或效果不明显，接受限流支架植入治疗。根据West-Haven标准评估患者HE程度，术中和术后行门静脉造影和门静脉压力梯度检测。随访记录HE评估、肝功能相关实验室指标、门体分流道彩色多普勒超声检查。记录消化道出血、腹腔积液、肝衰竭、死亡等不良事件。 结果 12例患者限流支架植入手术均获成功。门静脉压力梯度由限流术前（8.58±3.73） mmHg（1 mmHg=0.133 kPa）显著升高至术后（17.67±3.14） mmHg（t=-12.57，P＜0.001）。限流术后7 d HE症状消失10例，降为1级2例，随访期未见HE复发。术后多普勒超声检查显示门体分流道缩小，血流减慢。限流术后7 d与术前1 d相比，血浆氨（NH3）下降明显［（65.71±36.09） μmol/L对（139.13±50.17） μmol/L，t=5.22，P＜0.001］，白蛋白（ALB）、总胆红素（TBil）、丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）、血尿素氮（BUN）均呈好转趋势，但差异无统计学意义。接受4 mm限流支架患者中1例于术后12个月再发出血死亡，5 mm限流支架患者中1例于术后3个月再发大量腹水，后肿瘤进展致肝衰竭死亡，另1例于术后6个月再发腹水，经积极内科治疗后腹水好转未再出现，6 mm限流支架患者中1例于术后12个月再发出血死亡，其余患者病情稳定，随访期间未见并发症发生。 结论 限流支架治疗TIPS术后难治性HE安全有效。如何个体化选择限流支架直径，减少术后并发症值得进一步研究。     

改良经颈静脉肝内门体分流术治疗布- 加综合征所致顽固性腹水效果分析

【摘要】 目的 探讨改良经颈静脉肝内门体分流术（TIPS）治疗布-加综合征（BCS）所致顽固性腹水患者的效果。方法 回顾性分析2015年6月至2019年7月徐州医科大学附属医院采用改良TIPS 治疗的31例BCS所致顽固性腹水患者临床资料。其中早期接受改良TIPS治疗17例（肝静脉广泛阻塞8例,残存肝静脉代偿不全9例）,肝静脉开通失败或反复再狭窄转改良TIPS治疗14例。记录手术成功率、腹水缓解率、肝性脑病发生率。采用彩色多普勒超声或CT随访观察分流道通畅情况。 结果 31例患者改良TIPS手术均成功。患者门静脉压力由术前（34.5±6.7） mmHg（1 mmHg=0.133 kPa）显著降至术后（18.9±2.6） mmHg（P＜0.01）,无手术相关严重并发症发生。术后随访2～34个月,中位随访15.6个月。术后1、3、6、12个月时腹水完全缓解率分别为74.2%（23/31）、93.1%（27/29）、95.8%（23/24）、95.8%（23/24）;术后发生肝性脑病1例,发生率为3.3%（1/30）;术后1年、2年分流道原发通畅率分别为95.8%（23/24）、91.7%（11/12）,继发通畅率皆为100%（24/24,12/12）。 结论 改良TIPS术治疗BCS所致顽固性腹水安全有效,可获得较好的中远期疗效。     

超72h早期TIPS在肝硬化消化道出血中的临床应用北大核心CSCD

目的探讨超72 h的早期经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt,TIPS)能否改善肝硬化消化道出血患者的预后。方法回顾性分析2016年8月至2021年12月期间于我院介入科行早期TIPS(出血后5 d内手术)治疗的62例肝硬化消化道出血患者,其中肝功能Child-Pugh C级患者10例,Child-Pugh B级合并内镜下活动性出血患者52例。根据TIPS是否在患者出血后72 h内完成,患者被分为超72 h组(n=25)和72 h以内组(n=37)。随访观察两组患者预后,包括生存情况、消化道再出血率及肝性脑病发生率。结果所有患者均成功手术,超72 h组患者门静脉压力梯度(portal pressure gradient,PPG)由分流前(25.91±4.26)mmHg降低至分流后(10.35±2.68)mmHg,72 h以内组由(26.93±3.67)mmHg降低至(10.94±2.49)mmHg,两组患者分流前后PPG均无统计学差异(P=0.342;P=0.402)。患者中位随访时间为28个月(四分位距12~37个月),随访过程中,两组患者累积死亡率(16%vs13.5%,Log-rank P=0.813)、再出血率(12%vs 8.1%,Log-rank P=0.582)及肝性脑病发生率(24%vs 29.7%,Log-rank P=0.648)均无统计学差异。结论超72 h早期TIPS仍可降低肝硬化消化道出血患者再出血及死亡风险,其预后与72 h内行TIPS无显著差异。     

Y形通道治疗经颈静脉肝内门体分流术后支架分流道梗阻的初步研究

目的 探讨开窗技术建立Y形通道治疗经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)后支架分流道梗阻的可行性.方法 2012年2月至2016年12月采用穿刺支架开窗梗阻建立Y形通道治疗7例支架分流道梗阻伴复发性门静脉高压所致胃底静脉曲张出血或腹水患者.术前肝功能Child-Pugh评分5～10分,平均(6.85±1.56)分.对比术前与术后5d、术后1、3、6个月门静脉和分流道内血流情况.结果 7例患者均成功重建Y形通道.平均随访11个月,无一例死亡,未发生肝性脑病.结论 梗阻支架内Y形开窗重建治疗TIPS术后支架分流道梗阻安全有效、操作方便,具有一定的临床价值.     

合并肝癌的门脉高压患者TIPS治疗适应证及临床结果

目的 评价肝癌患者行经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉分流术（TIPS）的安全性和可行性。方法 886例肝硬化门脉高压静脉曲张破裂出血行TIPS术病例中，36例术前伴有肝癌（4．06％），ChildA 级9例，B级11例，C级16例。31例患者术前已行至少2次肝动脉化疗灌注栓塞（TACE），癌肿已被较好控制。5例患者为急诊TIPS。肝内肿块经由增强CT确认不在穿刺分流道33例，3例居常规穿刺分流道。前者采用经典TIPS方法，后者采用经腔静脉避绕法向门静脉分支穿刺。结果 36例合并肝癌的TIPS分流道建立均获成功。静脉曲张出血及腹水得到的有效地控制。27例肝癌患者用TACE及经皮无水乙醇病灶注射已有效控制，平均术后生存率4．5年。结论 肝硬化门脉高压静脉曲张破裂出血，同时伴原发性肝癌患者TIPS是一种安全有效的方法。     

Percutaneous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for variceal bleeding with chronic portal vein occlusion after splenectomy

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to introduce a modified transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), a percutaneous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PTIPS), and to evaluate its feasibility and efficacy in patients with variceal bleeding with chronic portal vein occlusion (CPVO) after splenectomy.

Methods

Twenty-four cirrhotic patients with CPVO after splenectomy who received PTIPS between 2010 and 2015 were included in this retrospective study. The indication was elective control of variceal bleeding. Success rates, effectiveness and complications were evaluated, with comparison of the pre- and post-portosystemic pressure gradient (PPG). Patients’ clinical outcomes and shunt patency were followed periodically.

Results

PTIPS was successfully placed in 22 patients (91.7%) and failed in two. The mean PPG fell from 22.0 ± 4.9 mmHg to 10.6 ± 1.6 mmHg after successful PTIPS (p < 0.05). No fatal procedural complications occurred. During the median follow-up of 29 months, shunt dysfunction occurred in five cases and hepatic encephalopathy in four cases. Three patients died because of rebleeding, hepatic failure and pulmonary disease, respectively. The other patients remained asymptomatic and the shunts patent.

Conclusions

We conclude that PTIPS, as a modified TIPS procedure with a high success rate, is safe and effective for variceal bleeding with CPVO after splenectomy.

Key Points

? Portal vein occlusion used to be contraindication to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. ? Portal vein thrombosis is common in patients with previous splenectomy. ? We developed a new method, percutaneous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PTIPS). ? PTIPS is feasible in patients with portal vein thrombosis and splenectomy. ? PTIPS is effective and safe for these kind of complicated portal hypertension.

     

Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Gastric Variceal Bleeding: Its Feasibility Compared with Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

Objective

To assess the feasibility of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) in active gastric variceal bleeding, and to compare the findings with those of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

Materials and Methods

Twenty-one patients with active gastric variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis were referred for radiological intervention. In 15 patients, contrast-enhanced CT scans demonstrated gastrorenal shunt, and the remaining six (Group 1) underwent TIPS. Seven of the 15 with gastrorenal shunt (Group 2) were also treated with TIPS, and the other eight (Group 3) underwent BRTO. All patients were followed up for 6 to 21 (mean, 14.4) months. For statistical inter-group comparison of immediate hemostasis, rebleeding and encephalopathy, Fisher''s exact test was used. Changes in the Child-Pugh score before and after each procedure in each group were statistically analyzed by means of Wilcoxon''s signed rank test.

Results

One patient in Group 1 died of sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and persistent bleeding three days after TIPS, while the remaining 20 survived the procedure with immediate hemostasis. Hepatic encephalopathy developed in four patients (one in Group 1, three in Group 2, and none in Group 3); one, in Group 2, died while in an hepatic coma 19 months after TIPS. Rebleeding occurred in one patient, also in Group 2. Except for transient fever in two Group-3 patients, no procedure-related complication occurred. In terms of immediate hemostasis, rebleeding and encephalopathy, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). In Group 3, the Child-Pugh score showed a significant decrease after the procedure (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

BRTO can effectively control active gastric variceal bleeding, and because of immediate hemostasis, the absence of rebleeding, and improved liver function, is a good alternative to TIPS in patients in whom such bleeding, accompanied by gastrorenal shunt, occurs.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in hemodialysis-dependent patients and patients with advanced renal insufficiency: safety, caution, and encephalopathy

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine the acute safety and chronic outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation in patients with hemodialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease for control of bleeding and refractory ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four dialysis-dependent patients and one renal transplant recipient (glomerular filtration rate, 27 mL/min) underwent TIPS creation for treatment of refractory ascites (n = 3) and recurrent portal hypertensive bleeding (n = 1). A sixth patient developed unrelated renal failure 3 years after initial TIPS formation and presented with encephalopathy at that time. All had nearly normal liver function test results and no previous baseline encephalopathy. Three dialysis recipients underwent dialysis immediately after the TIPS procedure in an intensive care unit; one did not. RESULTS: There were no complications of fluid overload or pulmonary edema after TIPS creation in the patients who immediately underwent dialysis. The one patient in whom dialysis was delayed developed respiratory failure and shock liver (ie, ischemic hepatitis). Ascites resolved in all three patients, and no recurrent variceal bleeding occurred during a mean follow-up of 17 months. Severe, grade 2-4 hepatic encephalopathy developed in all patients; in one patient, its onset was delayed until the onset of renal failure 3 years after the original TIPS procedure. Shunt reduction was required in four cases and competitive variceal embolization was required in one to reduce portosystemic diversion. No less than grade 1 episodic baseline encephalopathy was present in all patients despite continued use of the maximum prescribed medical therapy thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS creation is effective in controlling ascites and bleeding in functionally anephric patients, but at the cost of marked and disproportionate hepatic encephalopathy. Prompt, acute postprocedural dialysis and fluid management is critical for safe creation of a TIPS in dialysis-dependent patients.     

Emergent Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Acute Gastric Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A total of 42 cirrhotic patients (mean age, 51.7 years ± 10.8; 38 men) with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for controlling acute gastric variceal bleeding (GVB) were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Of these, 37 (88.1%) patients underwent emergent TIPS creation as the first-line treatment to control acute GVB. Five (11.9%) patients underwent emergent TIPS creation as a rescue/salvage treatment to control acute GVB after emergent endoscopic therapy and pharmacotherapy. Emergent TIPS creation was technically successful in 40 (95.2%) patients. Two (4.8%) patients had severe and moderate procedural adverse events. The median follow-up duration was 16.9 months (range, 0.1–100.8 months). Failure to control acute bleeding and failure to prevent rebleeding occurred in 8 (19.0%) patients during follow-up. Eighteen (42.9%) patients died during follow-up. Three (7.1%) patients had shunt dysfunction during follow-up. Overt hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 6 (14.3%) patients during follow-up.     

经颈静脉门腔分流术中Fluency覆膜支架应用的临床观察

目的 评价Fluency覆膜支架在经颈静脉门腔分流术(TIPS)中的临床效果.方法 搜集21例采用Fluency覆膜支架行TIPS治疗患者的临床病例资料进行回顾性分析.本组患者随访时间2.0～24.0个月,平均(10.1±4.6)个月;均为门静脉高压上消化道大出血,其中原发性肝癌门静脉主干癌栓伴大出血1例,布加综合征1例.分析患者术后支架开通情况,门静脉压力及肝功能变化情况.对手术前后门静脉压力及肝功能变化情况的比较采用配对t检验.结果21例患者共放支架25枚,均成功放置,支架直径10 mm 2枚、8 mm为23枚;覆膜支架长度6～8 cm.所有患者术后上消化道出血停止;门静脉压力由术前平均(25.4±3.5)mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133 kPa)降为(15.4±2.8)mm Hg,手术前后差异有统计学意义(t=12.495,P<0.01).随访期间,1例原发性肝癌伴门静脉主干癌栓患者于术后4个月死亡,1例随访期间发现原发性肝癌的患者术后24个月死亡,1例门静脉高压上消化道大出血患者于术后2个月死于多器官功能衰竭,1例于术后15个月出现肝静脉端狭窄,行第2枚支架治疗效果良好,余17例随访7～17个月支架无狭窄.患者死亡前1周复查超声示支架均通畅.3例术后出现一过性肝性脑病前驱症状,经对症处理后好转.存活6个月以上的19例患者,术前Child肝功能评分(6.3±1.4)分,术后6个月评分(6.4±1.9)分,两者差异无统计学意义(t=0.645,P>0.05).结论采用Fluency覆膜支架行TIPS术,能明显提高TIPS术后开通率,但长期效果及肝性脑病的评价尚需验'证.     

Role of parallel transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in patients with persistent portal hypertension.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) were placed in 93 patients between June 1990 and January 1992 for treatment of variceal hemorrhage. In each case, a Wallstent (Schneider USA, Minneapolis) was used to support the hepatic parenchymal tract between the hepatic and portal veins. Currently, these stents have a maximal diameter of 10 mm. In eight of 93 patients, major portal hypertension persisted after placement of a 10-mm-diameter shunt, manifested by continued rapid variceal filling and elevated portosystemic gradients. A second TIPS was placed parallel to the first in these patients to allow further portal decompression. In two other patients, a second TIPS was placed because the initial shunt functioned suboptimally. The mean postprocedural portosystemic gradient in the patients who received one TIPS was 10.2 mm Hg +/- 3.7. In patients who received two TIPS, the mean postprocedural gradient was 19.1 mm Hg +/- 3.8 after placement of the first TIPS and 12.5 mm Hg +/- 3.5 after placement of the second. Two patients developed their first episode of encephalopathy after placement of two TIPS. The methods and indications for placing two TIPS in this select population are discussed.     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for the Prevention of Gastric Variceal Rebleeding in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and MethodsThis multicenter retrospective study included 126 cirrhotic patients (mean age, 54.1 ± 10.2 years; 110 men) with HCC who underwent TIPS creation for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding. Of these, 110 (87.3%) patients had gastroesophageal varices and 16 (12.7%) patients had isolated gastric varices. Thirty-five (27.8%) patients had portal vein tumor thrombus.ResultsTIPS creation was technically successful in 124 (98.4%) patients. Rebleeding occurred in 26 (20.6%) patients during the follow-up period. The 6-week and 1-year actuarial probabilities of patients remaining free of rebleeding were 98.3% ± 1.2% and 81.2% ± 3.9%, respectively. Forty-nine (38.8%) patients died during the follow-up period. The 6-week and 1-year actuarial probabilities of survival were 98.4 ± 1.1% and 65.6 ± 4.4%, respectively. Two (1.6%) patients had major procedure-related complications, including acute liver failure (n = 1) and intra-abdominal bleeding (n = 1). Thirty-three (26.2%) patients had at least 1 episode of overt hepatic encephalopathy during the follow-up period. Shunt dysfunction occurred in 15 (11.9%) patients after a median follow-up time of 11.4 months (range, 1.4–41.3 months). Lung metastasis occurred in 3 (2.4%) patients, 3.9–32.9 months after TIPS creation.ConclusionsTIPS creation may be effective and safe for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding in patients with HCC.