Balloon angioplasty treatment of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome

Fourteen cases with membranous or segmental stenosis or obstruction of the inferior vena cava (11 cases) and the hepatic vein (3 cases) associated with Budd-Chiari syndrome were successfully treated by PTA. The average width of veins was increased from 2.5 mm to 14.9 mm. The average pressure of veins dropped from 21.2 +/- 1.9 mmHg of pre-PTA to 15.7 +/- 2.6 mmHg immediately after PTA. Significant improvement (p less than 0.001) was obtained. In 9 cases reexamined after PTA, the pressure of vein dropped further from 16.9 +/- 1.5 mmHg immediately after PTA to 10.4 +/- 2.1 mmHg. Thirteen cases were followed up for an average of 9 months (range 6-16 months). The complete recovery of clinical symptoms was seen in 7 cases. The symptoms were evidently improved in 5 cases. The symptoms was relieved in one patient. Re-stenosis of the inferior vena cava occurred in only one patient after 4 months of PTA. In conclusion, (1) PTA with balloon catheter is a safe and effective method of treatment, and the method is extensively appreciated for this syndrome. (2) The clinically effective results of treatment is obtained immediately after PTA for Budd-Chiari syndrome. (3) Brockenbrough method was considered to have good indication to the membranous as well as segmental obstruction of Budd-Chiari syndrome.