A prospective trial of transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic stent shunts versus small-diameter prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunts in the treatment of bleeding varices.

OBJECTIVE: The authors compare transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic stent shunts (TIPS) to small-diameter prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunts (HGPCS). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic stent shunts have been embraced as a first-line therapy in the treatment of bleeding varices due to portal hypertension, although they have not been compared to operatively placed shunts in a prospective trial. METHODS: In 1993, the authors began a prospective, randomized trial to compare TIPS with HGPCSs. All patients had bleeding varices and had failed nonoperative management. Shunting was undertaken as definitive therapy in all. Failure of shunting was defined as an inability to accomplish shunting despite repeated attempts, unexpected liver failure leading to transplantation, irreversible shunt occlusion, major variceal rehemorrhage, or death. Mortality and failure rates were analyzed at 30 days (early) and after 30 days (late) using Fischer's exact test. RESULTS: There were 35 patients in each group, with no difference in age, gender, Child's class, etiology of cirrhosis, urgency of shunting, or incidence of ascites or encephalopathy between groups. In two patients, TIPS could not be placed despite repeated attempts. Transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic stent shunts reduced portal pressures from 32 +/- 7.5 mmHg (standard deviation) to 25 +/- 7.5 mmHg (p < 0.01), whereas HGPCS reduced them from 30 +/- 4.6 mmHg to 19 +/- 5.3 mmHg (p < 0.01; paired Student's test). Irreversible occlusion occurred in three patients after placement of TIPS. Total failure rate after TIPS placement was 57%; after HGPCS placement, it was 26% (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Both TIPS and HGPCS reduced portal pressure. Placement of TIPS resulted in more deaths, more rebleeding, and more than twice the treatment failures. Mortality and failure rates promote the application of HGPCS over TIPS.     

不同手术方式对门静脉高压症病人肝功能性血流量的影响

目的　探讨TIPS、断流术、断流加分流术对肝功能性血流量的影响。方法　本组肝硬化门静脉高压症病人 37例 ,行TIPS治疗 8例、断流术 10例、TIPS +门奇静脉断流术 10例、门奇断流+脾肾分流术 9例。采用超声多普勒、D 山梨醇 (SOD)清除率和直接门静脉测压检测手术前后肝总血流量、肝功能性血流量和门静脉压。结果　术前病人门静脉、肝动脉和肝总血流量显著增加 ,肝功能性血流量显著下降 ,ChildC级病人下降更为显著。TIPS、TIPS +断流术和断流 +脾肾分流术后门静脉压力和肝功能性血流量均明显下降 (P <0 .0 5 )。其中 ,TIPS术后肝功能性血流量下降显著大于TIPS +断流术和断流 +脾肾分流术。断流术病人门静脉压和肝功能性血流量无明显变化。结论　肝功能性血流是评估肝脏储备功能的重要指标 ,分流术在降低门静脉压力同时减少肝功能性血流量。     

原位肝移植术中结扎门体分流静脉的临床研究

目的 通过原位肝移植术中结扎经CT确认的粗大的门体分流静脉,探讨结扎该分流静脉的临床意义.方法 根据天津市第一中心医院移植外科2007年1月1日至2008年8月1日原位肝移植术前三维CT检杳35例中,12例无门体分流静脉,23例存在明确的门体分流静脉,并应用门静脉血流仪在术中行门静脉血流量测定,根据测量结果,其中7例未行分流静脉结扎,16例行门体分流静脉结扎.结果 本组中12例无门体静脉分流者的门静脉血流量是(1101±70)ml/min.23例有门体分流静脉中,7例门静脉血流量>1000 ml/min者未行分流静脉结扎,16例血流馈<1000 ml/min者行分流静脉结扎.16例结扎前后门静脉血流量分别是(657±112) ml/min和(1136±161) ml/min,结扎前后门静脉血流量相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).本组23例均获得随访,其中19例正常存活,移植物功能良好,血流正常.有2例术后门静脉血栓复发(经抗凝治疗后好转),其中1例出现间断性意识障碍,血氨水平波动在126～194 mmol/L之间,给予降血氨治疗后好转.2例在术后3个月内死亡,其中1例在术后1.5个月因肺部曲霉菌感染导致呼吸功能衰竭死亡,另1例在术后2个月因移植物功能不良导致肝功能衰竭而死亡. 结论原位肝移植术中结合三维CT扫描血管重建及血流动力学数据,结扎门体分流静脉是有意义的.     

经颈内静脉肝内门体分流术治疗肝静脉广泛闭塞型布加综合征

目的探讨经颈内静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)治疗肝静脉广泛闭塞型布加综合征的临床疗效。方法采用TIPS治疗11例广泛肝静脉闭塞型布加综合征患者,其中3例为急性,8例为亚急性或慢性。患者表现为食管静脉曲张破裂出血和顽固性腹水,采用超声多普勒、CT或MRI、上消化道钡餐、血管造影和肝活检明确诊断。TIPS将肝内分流道建于肝后下腔静脉与门静脉分支,支架直径为10 mm,随访时间(63±43)个月。结果所有患者均成功完成TIPS,肝门部门静脉分叉处出血1例,1周后出血控制再植内支撑;肝内分流道建立后门体压力梯度由(41．2±10．5)cm H2O(1 cm H2O=0．098 kPa)下降至(12．4±4．7)cm H2O,门静脉血流速度由(11．2±2．8)cm／s增加至(52．2±13．7)cm／s。患者出血控制,腹水渐消退,肝功能指标明显好转。住院期间因肝功能衰竭死亡1例。术后随访,2例分流道狭窄分别行分流道再扩张或再植内支撑,其余8例无相关并发症。结论TIPS是治疗肝静脉广泛闭塞型布加综合征的重要方法,具有良好的远期疗效。     

Post-shunt resource consumption favors small-diameter prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunt over TIPS for patients with poor hepatic reserve

OBJECTIVE: To define the role of surgical shunting for patients with poor hepatic reserve (Child's class C) in the era of TIPS. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Most physicians prefer TIPS to surgical shunting for patients with poor hepatic reserve because of anticipated poor long-term survival. METHODS: Sixty-two patients of Child's class C with bleeding varices not amenable to endoscopic sclerotherapy or banding were prospectively randomized to undergo TIPS or 8-mm prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunt (HGPCS) from 1993 to 1999. Resource consumption and survival after shunting were determined. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients underwent TIPS and 33 underwent HGPCS. After HGPCS, survival at 3 years was favorable but not statistically superior. TIPS was more often associated with shunt stenoses/occlusions, recurrent hemorrhage, shunt revisions, and shunt failure. Long-term follow-up documented that after HGPCS, patients required fewer hospital and ICU days and fewer units of RBCs transfused. After HGPCS, cost of care was less, as was the median cost of care per day of survival. CONCLUSIONS: For Child's class C patients undergoing HGPCS or TIPS, long-term survival is similar, though favoring HGPCS. Similarly, measures of resource consumption and cost of care following hospital discharge favor HGPCS. HGPCS should be preferentially applied for acceptable patients without access to convenient capable post-shunt care or without definitive plans for imminent transplantation.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt vs surgical shunt in good-risk cirrhotic patients: a case-control comparison

HYPOTHESIS: In good-risk patients with variceal bleeding undergoing portal decompression, surgical shunt is more effective, more durable, and less costly than angiographic shunt (transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt [TIPS]). DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Academic referral center for liver disease. PATIENTS: Patients with Child-Pugh class A or B cirrhosis with at least 1 prior episode of bleeding from portal hypertension (gastroesophageal varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy). INTERVENTION: Portal decompression by angiographic (TIPS) or surgical (portacaval, distal splenorenal) shunt. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirty-day and long-term mortality, postintervention diagnostic procedures (endoscopic, ultrasonographic, and angiographic studies), hospital readmissions, variceal rebleeding episodes, blood transfusions, shunt revisions, and hospital and professional charges. RESULTS: Patients with Child-Pugh class A or B cirrhosis undergoing TIPS (n = 20) or surgical shunt (n = 20) were followed up for 385 and 456 patient-months, respectively. Thirty-day mortality was greater following TIPS compared with surgical shunt (20% vs 0%; P =.20); long-term mortality did not differ. Significantly more rebleeding episodes (P<.001); rehospitalizations (P<.05); diagnostic studies of all types (P<.001); shunt revisions (P<.001); and hospital (P<.005), professional (P<.05), and total (P<. 005) charges occurred following TIPS compared with surgical shunt. CONCLUSIONS: Operative portal decompression is more effective, more durable, and less costly than TIPS in Child-Pugh class A and B cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding. Good-risk patients with portal hypertensive bleeding should be referred for surgical shunt.     

99mTc动态显像观察TIPS加改良Sugiura术对门静脉高压症病人门静脉血流循环及门体分流的影响

目的　研究经颈内静脉肝内门体分流术 (TIPS)加改良Sugiura术对门静脉高压症病人门静脉血流循环、肝外门体分流情况的影响。方法　对 14例门静脉高压症病人 ,进行治疗前后的99mTc动态显像、直接门静脉测压自身对比研究。结果　术前、TIPS及改良Sugiura术后病人的肝脏、门静脉开始显影时间分别显著提前 ;门静脉压力逐步降低 ;TIPS术后门体分流率 (shuntindex ,SI)明显下降 ,而改良Sugiura术后无显著变化 ;肝脏放射性 时间曲线斜率上升。结论　TIPS加改良Sugiura术造成的门静脉及肝外门体分流的改变有助于提高治疗门静脉高压症的临床疗效。     

Hemodynamic Patterns in Human Hepatic Cirrhosis: A Prospective Randomized Study of the Hemodynamic Sequelae of Distal Splenorenal (Warren) and Mesocaval Shunts

Increasingly successful operative management of gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage has been achieved by newer techniques of portal venous reconstruction. Although it is postulated that the clinical success may be due to more selectivity in portal venous shunting, direct determination of the effect of portasystemic shunt on portal vein blood flow has not been possible. Direct determinations of portal vein blood flow were performed preoperative on unanesthetized, hemodynamically stable cirrhotic patients by observation of radiopaque water-insoluble droplets. Patients were then randomized into elective distal splenorenal (Warren) or mesocaval shunt and determinations were performed postoperatively under similar conditions when clinically possible. Although portal vein blood flow was not significantly different before (929 +/- 147 ml/min) or after 899 +/- 271 ml/min) distal splenorenal shunt, there was a large change in portal vein blood flow after mesocaval shunt, decreasing from 772 +/- 177 ml/min (hepatopetal) to -1021 +/- 310 ml/min (hepatofugal) p < 0.01). After either procedure total hepatic blood flow (as determined by cardiac green clearance) was not significantly changed, nor was renal blood flow; however, cardiac output was significantly increased after mesocaval shunt. Thus the theoretical hemodynamic goals of the selective distal splenorenal shunt, i.e., preservation of the hepatopetal flow within the portal vein, is achieved as determined in the early postoperative period. The correlation between these changes and the eventual clinical outcome remains to be determined.     

Short-term hemodynamic effects of transjugular retrograde obliteration of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects on portal hemodynamics of transjugular retrograde obliteration (TJO) of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt. METHODS: Thirty patients with gastric varices and a gastrorenal shunt were included in this study. The patients ranged in age from 42 to 75 years (16 men and 14 women), and according to Child's classification, class A, B and C cirrhosis was seen in 1, 13 and 16 patients, respectively. The portal blood flow was measured by an ultrasonic duplex Doppler system, and the wedged hepatic venous pressure was measured by hepatic venous catheterization, before and after TJO. RESULTS: Complete obliteration of the gastrorenal shunt and gastric varices was revealed by retrograde inferior phrenic venography and computed tomography after TJO in all cases. The wedged hepatic venous pressure was significantly increased the day after TJO compared with that before therapy (257 +/- 71 vs. 307 +/- 73 mm H(2)O, p < 0.01). The portal venous flow was significantly increased 1 week after TJO compared with that before therapy (744 +/- 190 vs. 946 +/- 166 ml/min, p < 0.01). The serum albumin levels before and after TJO were 3.0 +/- 0.4 and 3.1 +/- 0.5 g/dl, respectively, and the total bilirubin levels were 1.5 +/- 0.7 and 1. 5 +/- 0.8 mg/dl, respectively, neither of these parameters changing significantly. The plasma ammonia levels before and after TJO were 109 +/- 62 and 67 +/- 31 microg/dl, and the indocyanine green retention rates at 15 min were 31 +/- 13 and 24 +/- 13%, both showing a significant change (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that TJO increases portal blood flow which contributes to the decrease in plasma ammonia levels and the indocyanine green retention rate, although increasing the wedged hepatic venous pressure.     

Splenopancreatic disconnection. Improved selectivity of distal splenorenal shunt.

Distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS) improves survival from variceal bleeding in nonalcoholic cirrhotics but not in alcoholic subjects. The metabolic response after DSRS is also different in alcoholic and nonalcoholic cirrhotics. Portal perfusion, quality of blood perfusing the liver, cardiac output, and liver blood flow do not change in nonalcoholics. In alcoholics, portal perfusion is frequently lost (60%), quality of blood perfusing the liver decreases, and cardiac output and liver blood flow increase. It is proposed that portal flow is lost in alcoholics via pancreatic and colonic collaterals after surgery. Elimination of this sump by adding complete dissection of the splenic vein and division of the splenocolic ligament to DSRS (splenopancreatic disconnection, SPD) could preserve portal perfusion, decrease shunt loss of hepatotrophic factor, and improve survival in alcoholic cirrhotics. This report compares data 1 year after surgery in two groups of cirrhotics: group I (8 nonalcoholic; 16 alcoholic) had DSRS without SPD; group II (17 nonalcoholic; 11 alcoholic) received DSRS + SPD. Methods: Portal perfusion grade, cardiac output (CO), liver blood flow (f), hepatic function (GEC), and hepatic volume (vol) were measured before and 1 year after surgery. Shunt loss of hepatotrophic factor was estimated by insulin response (change in plasma concentration over 10 minutes: AUC) after arginine stimulation. Results: Groups I and II were similar before surgery. Metabolically, nonalcoholics remained stable after both DSRS and DSRS + SPD. After standard DSRS, alcoholics lost portal perfusion (75%, p less than 0.05), CO, and f increased (p less than 0.05), and quality of blood perfusing the liver was decreased (GEC/f: p less than 0.05). DSRS + SPD preserved portal perfusion better (p less than 0.05) in alcoholic cirrhotics than did DSRS alone. After DSRS + SPD, the metabolic response in alcoholics resembled that of nonalcoholics. CO, f, and GEC/f remained stable. These data show: DSRS + SPD preserves postoperative portal perfusion in alcoholic cirrhotics better than DSRS alone. Metabolic response to DSRS + SPD is similar in alcoholic and nonalcoholic cirrhotics. Because portal perfusion and metabolic integrity are preserved after DSRS + SPD, its use in alcoholic cirrhotics should improve survival.     

可控弹簧圈限制TIPS分流道血流治疗难治性肝性脑病

目的 观察Interlock可控弹簧圈限制分流道血流对TIPS术后难治性肝性脑病的干预效果。方法 对5例TIPS术后难治性肝性脑病患者以Interlock可控弹簧圈限制分流道血流,观察治疗效果。结果 5例共用7枚可控弹簧圈,其中10 mm×25 cm 3枚,15 mm×25 cm 1枚,10 mm×40 cm 3枚。限流术后配合内科对症治疗,1例患者明显好转,未出现肝性脑病症状;2例限流后2个月内仍反复发生肝性脑病,予以再次弹簧圈限流后症状消失;2例限流术后半个月出现腹胀、腹腔积液等门静脉高压症状,选用8 mm×60 mm球囊扩张原支架分流道处弹簧圈,植入8 mm×60 mm镍钛合金裸支架,之后未再出现肝性脑病及门静脉高压症状。结论 以可控弹簧圈限制分流道血流治疗TIPS术后难治性肝性脑病（5例）安全可靠。     

Does portal pressure influence direction of portal flow and encephalopathy rates after 10-mm portacaval shunts in man?

Direction of portal flow after small diameter portacaval H graft has been found to significantly correlate with postshunt portasystemic encephalopathy rates. While some patients maintaining prograde portal flow were found to have a lower incidence of portasystemic encephalopathy, it has been suggested that high portal pressures are responsible for minimizing this complication. If both statements are true, then postshunt pressures should be higher in patients with prograde flow and in encephalopathy. Portal pressure and portal flow patterns were determined by shunt cannulation and fluoroscopy in 16 patients fully recovered from operation. Patients were screened for portasystemic encephalopathy over a 6- to 24-month period (average 12 months) at which time shunt patency was documented. Portal pressures were similar in patients with and without portasystemic encephalopathy and in patients with and without prograde flow. These results do not support the concept that portal pressure is an important determinant of portasystemic encephalopathy rates or flow patterns after 10-mm portacaval H graft.     

Functional Hepatic Flow Can Predict the Hepatic Reserve Function in Surgical Cirrhotic Patients

Aim: To evaluate hepatic reserve function by monitoring functional hepatic flow in cirrhotic patients admitted for surgical treatments. Methods: Thirty-seven biopsy-proved cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and 10 healthy volunteers entered the study. Eleven were Child-Pugh class A, 18 class B, and 8 class C. Eight patients undergone Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), 10 were submitted to the combination of TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection, 10 were treated with surgical portal-azygous disconnection, and 9 were treated with the combination of portal-azygous disconnection and spleno-renal shunt. The functional hepatic flow (FHF) and total hepatic flow (THF) were determined by means of modified hepatic clearance of D-sorbitol combined with duplex Doppler color sonography. Portal pressure was measured directly by portal vein catheterization. Results: Portal blood flow, hepatic artery flow, and THF significantly increased in cirrhotic patients compared to the controls, while FHF was significantly reduced. Both portal pressure and FHF decreased in cirrhotic patients submitted to TIPS, the combination of TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection, or the combination of portal-azygous disconnection and spleno-renal shunt (p <.05). FHF decreased significantly in patients treated with TIPS compared to other patients (p <.01). The portal pressure decreased in patients treated with portal-azygous disconnection while FHF maintained no changes (p >.05). Conclusions: Monitor of FHF in cirrhotic patients is valuable to predict different hepatic reserve function in patients receiving different surgical operations.     

Neoadjuvant transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a solution for extrahepatic abdominal operation in cirrhotic patients with severe portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Major abdominal surgery, although technically feasible per se, can be contraindicated in some cirrhotic patients because of severe portal hypertension. The present study reports our experience of seven such patients who were prepared for major abdominal surgery by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). STUDY DESIGN: There were seven cirrhotic patients (six men and one woman aged 47 to 69 years) with portal hypertension. Portal hypertension was considered severe because of the presence of at least one of the following: history of variceal bleeding (five of seven patients), varices at risk of bleeding (red signs or cardial location of varices; four of seven patients), or intractable ascites (three of seven patients). The planned operations included colon, gastroesophageal, kidney, and aortic procedures in three, two, one, and one patient, respectively. Because portal hypertension was the leading cause of surgical contraindication, the following "two-step strategy" was applied to the seven patients: first, TIPS to control portal hypertension, followed, after a delay of at least 1 month, by abdominal surgery. RESULTS: The TIPS procedure was successfully performed in all patients without complications. The hepatic venous pressure gradient decreased from 18+/-5 to 9+/-5 mm Hg (p<0.01). All patients were operated on with a delay ranging from 1 month to 5 months after TIPS (2.9+/-1.3 months; median 3 months). The planned operation was performed in six of the seven patients. One patient with cancer of the cardia did not have resection because of extensive abdominal spreading of the tumor. Intraoperative transfusion was necessary in only two patients. Operative mortality occurred in one patient, 36 days after resection of a left colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The minimally invasive nature of TIPS allows us to propose the following two-step management of cirrhotic patients with severe portal hypertension needing abdominal surgery: decompression of the portal system by TIPS followed by elective surgery.     

Partial versus total portacaval shunt in alcoholic cirrhosis. Results of a prospective,randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Results of the first prospective randomized clinical trial comparing partial and total portacaval shunt for variceal hemorrhage are reported. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Total portacaval shunts produce subnormal portal pressures, completely diverting hepatic portal flow. Partial shunts maintain higher pressures and preserve hepatopedal flow. No randomized trials of these two approaches have been performed. METHODS: Alcoholic patients with cirrhosis (n = 30) and variceal hemorrhage treated at one institution were randomized to receive partial (8-mm diameter portacaval H grafts with collateral ablation, n = 14) or total shunts (16-mm diameter grafts, n = 16). Portography was performed after operation and then yearly. Investigators blinded to shunt type assessed encephalopathy; hospitalizations were reviewed. RESULTS: Child''s class, age, and operative urgency were similar for the two groups. Two patients (with total shunts) died within 30 days. Hepatopedal flow was maintained in 13 partial and 0 total shunt patients (p < 0.0001). Shunt gradients were 16 +/- 5 compared with 6 +/- 3 cm saline after partial and total shunts (p < 0.0001). There were no shunt thromboses or variceal hemorrhages. Encephalopathy-free survival was significantly greater after partial shunts (p = 0.013; life table analysis). Five total compared with zero partial shunt patients required hospitalization for coma (p = 0.02). Long-term survival was not different for the two groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Partial shunts control variceal hemorrhage while maintaining hepatopedal flow and elevated portal pressures. By minimizing encephalopathy rates, partial shunts provide improved quality of survival compared with total shunts.     

采用Viatorr覆膜支架行经颈静脉肝内门体分流术

目的评价采用Viatorr覆膜支架行经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)治疗门静脉高压并发症的疗效与安全性。方法回顾性分析8例接受Viatorr覆膜支架TIPS治疗的肝硬化门静脉高压症患者的资料。术后进行随访,复查上腹部CT,以评价TIPS疗效。结果对8例患者均成功手术,均采用直径8mm、覆膜段长度50~80mm的Viatorr覆膜支架建立肝内分流道。对其中1例合并门静脉海绵样变的患者于门静脉端置入8mm×40mm的E-Luminexx裸支架1枚;1例患者因肝静脉端狭窄于肝静脉端置入8mm×40mm的Fluency覆膜支架1枚。术后患者门静脉压力由术前的[33.08(29.32,40.22)]mmHg降为[23.31(21.43,26.51)]mmHg,差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.52,P=0.012)。术后随访1.1~7.7个月,所有患者均存活,均未再发生门静脉高压相关并发症。术后2例患者发生肝性脑病。术后1~7.7个月复查示所有患者TIPS分流道通畅。结论对国内肝硬化门静脉高压症患者应用Viatorr支架行TIPS治疗安全、有效。     

Hemodynamic effects of vasopressin, alone and in combination with nitroprusside, in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

We have investigated the effects on systemic, pulmonary, hepatic, and renal hemodynamics, and on blood gases of vasopressin, 0.4 U/min I.V. first alone, then in combination with nitroprusside 1-5 micrograms/kg/min I.V., in 12 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portal pressures were estimated by the gradient between occluded and free hepatic vein pressures, hepatic blood flow was measured by indocyanine green infusion, renal blood flow by an isotopic method, and cardiac output by thermodilution. Vasopressin alone reduced cardiac output (-23%) and O2 delivery to the tissues (-25%), increased mean arterial pressure (+20%) and filling pressures of the heart (+136%), reduced portal pressures (-36%) (from 19 +/- 1 to 12 +/- 1 mmHg, mean +/- SEM), hepatic blood flow (-35%) (1.33 +/- 0.2 to 0.87 +/- 0.1 l/min), and renal blood flow (-16%) (0.77 +/- 0.07 to 0.65 +/- 0.05 l/min). Adding nitroprusside restored cardiac output, preload and afterload, and renal blood flow to pretreatment values. Oxygen delivery remained depressed (-12%) because of a negative effect on pulmonary gas exchange (physiologic shunt increased from 16 +/- 2 to 28 +/- 4%). Portal pressures remained reduced by 31% and hepatic blood flow by 25%. These results suggest that small doses of I.V. nitroprusside minimize the deleterious hemodynamic effects of vasopressin while maintaining the therapeutic benefit of portal pressure reduction in cirrhotic patients.     

Influence of endothelin-1 on hemodynamics during liver transplantation with and without temporary portocaval shunt: Results of a clinical randomized study

Aims of this study are to analyze the influence of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on hemodynamic evolution during liver transplantation (LT) and study the role of a temporary portacaval shunt in ET-1 synthesis. Forty LTs in patients with cirrhosis were studied. Two groups were analyzed: the first group had a temporary portacaval shunt during the anhepatic phase, and the second group did not. Portal and systemic ET-1 levels were measured at several times. At the end of the anhepatic phase, systemic (16.1 [plusmn] 6.5 pg/mL) and portal (19.2 [plusmn] 7 pg/mL) ET-1 levels increased, whereas they decreased after reperfusion (systemic, 11.8 [plusmn] 7.1 pg/mL; portal, 13.2 [plusmn] 6.8 pg/mL). Portal flow at the beginning of LT correlated with systemic ET-1 levels (R² = 0.3; P = .004). A temporary portacaval shunt reduced portal pressure during the anhepatic phase, but did not modify ET-1 levels. Patients with reperfusion syndrome had greater systemic ET-1 levels in the anhepatic phase (19.1 [plusmn] 6.9 v 15.1 [plusmn] 6.1 pg/mL; P = .07). Although there is a relationship between ET-1 levels and portal flow and reperfusion syndrome, no clear clinical effect on hemodynamics could be shown. Creation of a portacaval shunt made no change in ET-1 levels. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:27-33.)     

Active spleno-femoral shunt avoids splanchnic congestion during portal triad occlusion: an experimental study

Portal triad occlusion (PTO) is often performed during hepatic resections for trauma or malignancies to minimize intraoperative blood loss. The pringle maneuver is also regularly required during liver transplantation. This maneuver leads to temporary hepatic ischemia and may be associated with splanchnic blood flow congestion, promoting undesirable hemodynamic disturbances in some patients. Veno-venous bypass is a useful, easily performed technique that may avoid those deleterious hemodynamic effects of PTO. We tested the hypothesis that an active spleno-femoral shunt maintains hemodynamic stability and promotes complete decompression of the mesenteric bed, avoiding intestinal mucosal blood congestion, during PTO. METHODS: Seven dogs (17.2 +/- 0.9 kg) were subjected to 45 minutes of hepatic ischemia during which there was an active spleno-femoral shunt. Systemic hemodynamics were evaluated through Swan-Ganz and arterial catheters. Splanchnic perfusion was assessed by portal vein blood flow and hepatic artery blood flow (PVBF and HABF, ultrasonic flowprobe), intestinal mucosal-arterial pCO(2) gradient (D(t-a)pCO(2), tonometry), and regional O(2)-derived variables. RESULTS: No significant changes in systemic and regional parameters were observed during the ischemia period. During reperfusion, a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure, PVBF, and arterial pH was observed. A significant increase in ALT and D(t-a)pCO(2) (4.8 +/- 2.5 to 18.9 +/- 3 mm Hg) was also observed following hepatic blood flow restoration. CONCLUSION: Spleno-femoral shunt maintains systemic hemodynamic stability, with an effective decompression of the splanchnic bed during portal triad occlusion. The deleterious hemodynamic and metabolic effects observed during reperfusion period, such as transitory hypotension, high D(t-a)pCO(2), and acidemia, were associated with an isolated hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, not with the blood congestion in the splanchnic bed.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for treatment of intractable colonic ischemia associated with portal hypertension: a bridge to liver transplantation.

A 64-year-old man with portal hypertension secondary to hepatic nodular transformation was awaiting liver transplantation when he presented with severe, unrelenting abdominal pain, fever, and hypotension. Computed tomographyrevealed pneumatosis within the cecum and ascending colon. Because of his advanced liver disease and the perceived high likelihood of a poor outcome after colonic resection, he was managed medically. He improved initially but had a lengthy hospital course notable for intractable intestinal ischemia and gastrointestinal bleeding. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated patent mesenteric, portal, and hepatic vessels. His blood pressure was typically 90/55 mm Hg (mean arterial pressure, 65-70 mm Hg) despite intravenous fluids and blood product replacement. The hypothesis developed that the patient's level of portal hypertension was sufficiently severe (in the face of his low mean systemic arterial pressure) to compromise perfusion of the colonic mucosa. Were this hypothesis correct, then portal decompression might enhance the blood pressure gradient across the bowel and improve mucosal perfusion. With this in mind, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was placed. There was reduction of the portal vein to inferior vena cava gradient from 29 mm Hg to 9 mm Hg and his abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding ceased. His prompt and sustained improvement following TIPS shunt placement is consistent with the hypothesis that high portal pressure was flow limiting, thus contributing to persisting intestinal ischemia. This case represents the first report of use of a TIPS shunt to address colonic ischemia associated with portal hypertension.