Denver管腹腔静脉分流术治疗肝硬化难治性腹水的临床评价

目的评价Denver管腹腔静脉分流术(PVS)治疗肝硬化难治性腹水的效果.方法选择10例肝硬化难治性腹水病人置Denver管行腹腔颈内静脉分流术.手术前后观察病人的体重、尿量、腹围、生化指标和凝血指标以及生活质量的改变.结果术后所有病人体重较术前平均降低2.7kg(P＜0.01),腹围平均减少11.7cm(P＜0.01),尿量平均增加1053.8ml/d(P＜0.01),肌酐和尿素氮水平均有改善(P＜0.05),但白蛋白、谷丙转氨酶和凝血酶原时间无明显变化.术后生活质量明显改善.术后并发症包括堵管(2例)、发烧(2例)、腹膜炎(2例)、心衰(1例)和上消化道出血(2例).所有病人均有生化的DIC指标异常,但没有临床DIC表现,经处理后均缓解.结论肝硬化难治性腹水行Denver管PVS后能明显增加尿量、降低体重、减小腹围和提高生活质量,虽然可有许多并发症发生,但是经积极处理后可以缓解,不少可积极预防.相信随临床经验的不断积累,其在肝硬化难治性腹水治疗中会起相当重要作用.     

Choosing the location for non-image guided abdominal paracentesis.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal location for paracentesis has not been studied scientifically. The evolving obesity epidemic has changed the physique of many patients with cirrhosis and ascites such that needles inserted into the abdominal wall may not reach fluid. We aimed to determine the location for paracentesis that would have the thinnest abdominal wall and the deepest amount of fluid. METHODS: Ultrasound measurements of abdominal wall thickness and depth of ascites were recorded in two locations, the infraumbilical midline (ML) and the left lower quadrant (LLQ), in 52 patients with cirrhosis and ascites admitted to a single inpatient liver unit. RESULTS: The abdominal wall was significantly thinner (1.8 vs. 2.4 cm; P<0.001) and the depth of ascites greater (2.86 vs. 2.29 cm; P=0.017) in the LLQ as compared with the infraumbilical ML position. In the left lateral oblique position, the difference in the depth of ascites was more pronounced when comparing the LLQ with the infraumbilical ML (4.57 vs. 2.78 cm; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The LLQ is preferable to the ML infraumbilical location for performing paracentesis.     

腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔治疗肝硬化顽固性腹水疗效评价

目的 评估腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔术治疗肝炎肝硬化顽固性腹水患者临床疗效。方法75例肝硬化顽固性腹水患者分为治疗组（50例）和对照组（25例）,两组患者均采用保肝、利尿、对症、支持等常规治疗,疗程4周。对照组在常规治疗基础上,采用多次治疗性腹穿放液治疗;治疗组在常规治疗基础上,采用腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔治疗,观察并比较两组治疗后体重、腹围、24h尿量和尿钠排出量、肝功能、肾功能、血电解质及不良反应。结果治疗4周后治疗组腹围、体重、24h尿量优于对照组（P〈0．01）;血清白蛋白、肾小球滤过率及24h尿钠量高于对照组（P〈0．01）,肌酐、胱抑素c水平低于对照组（P〈0．05。P〈0．01）;治疗组显效率（48．0％）和总有效率（80．0％）明显好于对照组（24．0％和52．0％）（P〈0．05）：两组均未出现严重不良反应。结论腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔术治疗肝硬化顽固性腹水患者临床疗效优于多次治疗性腹穿放液。     

Clinical research on navel application of Shehuang Paste combined with Chinese herbal colon dialysis in treatment of refractory cirrhotic ascites complicated with azotemia

INTRODUCTION Cirrhotic ascites is one of a triad related to portal hyper- tension, which is not difficult to be cured if patients re- ceive early treatment. Only about 10% of patients proceed to develop ‘refractory ascites’. The International Ascites Cl…     

铜绿假单胞注射液和顺铂治疗结直肠癌恶性腹腔积液的疗效对比

目的回顾性分析甘露糖敏感性血凝菌毛的铜绿假单胞菌（PA-MSHA）制剂与顺铂在治疗结直肠癌恶性腹腔积液的近期疗效和安全性。 方法回顾性分析就诊于河北医科大学第四医院的腹部B超证实为中-大量腹腔积液,且经细胞学检查为恶性腹腔积液的结直肠癌患者49例。根据治疗方案的选择分为2组,铜绿组（31人）和顺铂组（18人）。铜绿组：腹腔注射铜绿假单胞注射液10 mL×10支,第1、3、5天给药,7天一个周期,共2个周期;顺铂组：腹腔注射顺铂50 mg/m²,d1,7天为1个周期,共2个周期。两组同时期内给予mFOLFOX6方案化疗。参照WHO（1981）制定的腹腔积液治疗标准进行疗效评价;参考Karnofsky评分对患者生活质量进行评价;评估治疗过程中出现的不良反应。 结果铜绿组31例中19例患者有效,顺铂组18例患者中5例有效（χ²=5.118,P=0.024）。铜绿组31例患者中22例生活质量明显改善,顺铂组18例患者中7例患者生活质量明显改善（χ²=6.586,P=0.01）。铜绿组中有12例（38.71%）患者出现发热,顺铂组中有2例（11.11%）患者出现发热（χ²=4.25,P=0.039）;铜绿组中有1例（3.23%）腹痛患者,而顺铂组中有6例（33.33%）患者出现腹痛（χ²=8.43,P=0.004）;铜绿组未出现腹腔感染,顺铂组中有2例（11.11%）患者出现腹腔感染（χ²=3.591,P=0.058）。 结论腹腔灌注铜绿假单胞注射液在治疗结直肠癌恶性腹腔积液是一种安全、有效的治疗方案,能取得较好的近期疗效,并能改善患者生活质量,且疗效优于顺铂。     

腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔术对肝硬化顽固性大量腹水并发Ⅱ型肝肾综合征的疗效探讨

[目的]探讨腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔术对肝硬化顽固性大量腹水患者并发Ⅱ型肝肾综合征的疗效。[方法]将66例肝硬化顽固性大量腹水同时并发Ⅱ型肝肾综合征的患者随机分为治疗组(34例)和对照组(32例);治疗组采用腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔术治疗,对照组采用腹腔穿刺放液治疗。[结果]2组治疗后,在改善24h尿量、降低血清尿素氮、降低血清K+方面均较治疗前有效,但治疗组明显优于对照组(P0.05);2组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]合理应用腹水超滤浓缩回输腹腔术是一种治疗肝硬化顽固性大量腹水并发Ⅱ肝肾综合征的有效措施,可迅速改善患者肾脏功能,明显增加尿量,缓解氮质血症,解除高钾血症。     

Reduction of abdominal pressure in patients with ascites reduces gastroesophageal reflux

The effect of the reduction of intra-abdominal pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and the 24-hour pH monitoring were studied in 16 patients with ascites before and after paracentesis. LESP did not change (P > 0.05) with the reduction of intra-abdominal pressure (before paracentesis: 17.48 mmHg and postparacentesis: 18.67 mmHg). The results were divided into two groups according to the achieved reduction in intra-abdominal pressure group A were those in who the reduction was greater than 70% and B consisted of those a reduction of less than 70%. LESP did not change even when results for each group were considered separately (P > 0.05): group A (before: 15.60 mmHg; after: 18.09 mmHg); group B (before: 23.09 mmHg; after: 20.40 mmHg). However the 24-h pH monitoring showed pathological reflux in patients with ascites that was reduced with the paracentesis (P < 0.05; total number of reflux episodes before paracentesis was 520.26, and after, 136.26). All pH-monitoring parameters were statistically different (P < 0.05) before and after the reduction of intra-abdominal pressure for group A but not for group B. LESP does not change significantly (P > 0.05) when the intra-abdominal pressure is significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Patients with ascites showed gastroesophageal reflux. Intra-abdominal pressure reduction greater than 70% lead to a significant reduction in gastroesophageal reflux.     

Preservation of nutritional-status in patients with refractory ascites due to hepatic cirrhosis who are undergoing repeated paracentesis

Background and Aim: Refractory ascites in liver‐cirrhosis is associated with a poor prognosis. We performed a prospective study to investigate whether aggressive nutritional‐support could improve outcomes in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Cirrhotic patients undergoing serial large‐volume paracentesis for refractory‐ascites were enrolled and randomized into three groups. Group A received post‐paracentesis intravenous nutritional‐support in addition to a balanced oral diet and a late‐evening protein snack, group B received the same oral nutritional‐protocol as the first group but without parenteral support, and group C (the control group) received a low‐sodium or sodium‐free diet. Clinical, anthropometric and laboratory nutritional parameters and biochemical tests of liver and renal function were reported for 12 months of follow‐up. Results: We enrolled 120 patients, who were randomized into three groups of equal size. Patients on the nutritional‐protocol showed better preservation of clinical, anthropometric and laboratory nutritional parameters that were associated with decreased deterioration of liver function compared with patients on the low‐sodium or sodium‐free diet (group C). Groups A and B had lower morbidity and mortality rates than the control group (C). Mortality rates were significantly better in patients who were treated with parenteral‐nutritional‐support than for the other two groups. In patients who were on the nutritional‐protocol, there was a reduction in the requirement of taps for the treatment of refractory ascites. Conclusions: Post‐paracentesis parenteral‐nutritional‐support with a balanced oral diet and an evening protein snack appears to be the best care protocol for patients with liver‐cirrhosis that has been complicated by refractory‐ascites.     

Comparison of the effect of terlipressin and albumin on arterial blood volume in patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites treated by paracentesis: a randomised pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites treated by paracentesis alone have a decrease in effective arterial blood volume after ascites removal. Although intravenous albumin is effective in preventing paracentesis induced decreased arterial blood volume, its clinical use is controversial. As paracentesis induces arteriolar vasodilation which plays a role in the development of decreased effective arterial blood volume, administration of a vasoconstrictor (terlipressin) could prevent circulatory alterations due to paracentesis. AIMS: To perform a pilot study comparing the effects of terlipressin and albumin on effective arterial blood volume in patients with cirrhosis treated by paracentesis for tense ascites. METHODS: Twenty patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites were randomly assigned to be treated by either paracentesis and terlipressin or paracentesis and albumin. Terlipressin (3 mg) or albumin (8 g/l of removed ascites) were administered on the day of paracentesis. Effective arterial blood volume was assessed by measuring plasma renin concentrations at baseline and on the day of hospital discharge (4-6 days after treatment). Decreased effective arterial blood volume was defined as an increase in plasma renin concentrations on the day of hospital discharge of more than 50% of baseline values. RESULTS: Irrespective of the treatment group, mean values for plasma renin concentrations at hospital discharge did not differ from their respective baseline values (p=0.10). Baseline plasma levels of renin concentrations did not differ between the terlipressin and albumin groups (p=0.61). Changes from baseline in plasma renin concentrations did not differ between groups (p=0.39). Three patients in the terlipressin group and three in the albumin group developed decreased arterial blood volume. CONCLUSIONS: This randomised pilot study suggests that terlipressin may be as effective as intravenous albumin in preventing a decrease in effective arterial blood volume in patients with cirrhosis treated by paracentesis for tense ascites.     

Prognosis of patients with ascites after PleurX insertion: an observational study

Objective: To evaluate the safety of PleurX in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites.

Methods: We prospectively registered patients who received a PleurX catheter cirrhosis-associated refractory ascites at our department from July 2015 to November 2016. Our control group consisted of matched cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites treated with large volume paracentesis (LVP) and patients with malignant ascites treated with PleurX during the same period.

Results: We included 25 patients with cirrhosis-related ascites (7 in PleurX group) and 17 with malignant ascites (14 in PleurX group). Of these, six patients had hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis (5 in PleurX group). None were eligible for insertion of a TIPS or liver transplantation. The maximum duration of follow-up was (480 days) in the PleurX group and 366 days in the LVP group (median 84 and 173 days, respectively). There was no difference in mortality when comparing PleurX with LVP treatment (hazard ratios: 3.0 and 1.0, p?=?.23 and .96, respectively). Mortality was higher in patients with malignant ascites (p=?.01). We found no significant differences in adverse events (incl. spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) or in P-albumin, P-creatinine and P-sodium between the groups.

Conclusion: PleurX insertion for the treatment of refractory ascites in cirrhotic patients appears to be safe. Prospective randomized trials are necessary in order to confirm these findings.     

EUS in the detection of ascites and EUS-guided paracentesis

BACKGROUND: The utility of EUS was evaluated for detection of ascites and EUS-guided FNA of ascites in patients undergoing EUS for diagnosis and staging of GI malignancies. METHODS: A series (from March 1994 to October 1997) of 571 consecutive patients who underwent upper EUS for various indications was retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up clinical information was obtained from referring physicians, subsequent CT, and telephone interviews. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (15% of series) were found to have ascites by EUS. Six did not have CT before EUS. Pre-EUS CT identified ascites in only 14 (18%) of the 79 patients who had pre-EUS CT. Of the patients in whom CT was negative for abdominal fluid (n = 65) and who had clinical follow-up, 13 of 58 (22%) subsequently had ascites develop that were detected by CT or physical examination. Overall, 31 of the 85 patients underwent EUS-guided FNA paracentesis; the mean volume obtained was 7.9 mL (range 1-40 mL). In 5 patients, malignant ascites was diagnosed by EUS-guided FNA; in these patients surgery was avoided. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is more sensitive than CT in detecting small amounts of ascites. A significant number (22%) of patients who had ascites by EUS subsequently had ascites develop that was detectable by CT or physical examination. EUS-guided paracentesis appears to be safe and effective and can identify malignant ascites.     

中心静脉导管腹腔留置治疗肝纤维化顽固性腹水效果

目的 目的 探讨肝纤维化并顽固性腹水的综合治疗方法。 方法 方法 收集54例肝纤维化并顽固性腹水住院患者, 随机 分为实验组和对照组。实验组采用改良中心静脉导管腹腔内留置进行放液、 灌洗、 腔内药物注射, 并结合全身情况综合治 疗。对照组常规腹腔穿刺抽液。结果 结果 实验组总有效率82.1%, 对照组总有效率57.7%, 差异有统计学意义 （χ2 = 3.87, P＜0.05）。实验组住院天数、 腹穿次数、 腹水消退时间均少于对照组, 差异均有统计学意义 （P均＜0.05）。结论 结论 改良中心 静脉导管腹腔留置治疗肝纤维化并顽固性腹水安全、 有效、 方便。     

不同腹水超滤量对71例难治性肝硬化腹水患者的影响

目的研究不同腹水超滤量对难治性腹水临床疗效及安全性的影响。方法将符合诊断标准的71例肝硬化难治性腹水病例随机分为对照组和治疗组,对照组单次超滤量3 000~8 000 ml,3~7 d后再次或多次行腹水超滤治疗,治疗组单次超滤量8000~16 000 ml,抽尽腹水,若抽取废液量为3 000~8 000 ml,则纳入对照组。观察治疗前后临床症状、腹围、尿量、体质量、并发症、平均住院日、住院费用;治疗前、后3 d、随访3个月末检测肝肾功能、电解质等,计算Child pugh积分、Meld积分。结果 (1)治疗组、对照组腹水超滤次数分别为(2.14±1.07)次、(3.57±1.42)次,废液总量分别为(26 347.22±13 477.40)ml、(21 180.00±9 137.73)ml,平均住院日分别为(21.37±3.40)d、(26.46±2.78)d,平均住院费用分别为(15 356.12±3 526.15)元、(18 737.35±4 671.23)元,两组腹水超滤次数、平均住院日、平均住院费用相比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),废液总量相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);(2)两组总有效率分别为91.67%、65.71%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.004);(3)两组发生肝性脑病、上消化道出血、肝肾综合征、原发性肝癌、死亡以及其他(局部渗血)情况相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论腹水超滤浓缩回输术治疗单次超滤量8 000~16 000 ml比3 000~8 000 ml能显著降低腹水超滤次数、缩短住院日、降低住院费用,更有效控制腹水增长,两组治疗安全性均好,但腹水超滤浓缩回输术治疗不能阻止疾病的进展。     

Elevation of serum and ascites cancer antigen 125 levels in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 elevation has been reported in patients with liver disease, but it is poorly characterized. The present study aimed to evaluate the range of serum and ascitic CA 125 levels in patients with liver cirrhosis and to explore possible factors associated with CA 125 elevation. METHODS: A total of 70 patients were studied. Group I consisted of 30 patients with liver cirrhosis with or without ascites. Group II consisted of 30 patients with digestive malignant tumors with or without ascites. Group III consisted of 10 patients with benign ascites. The CA 125 levels were measured in the serum of all patients and also simultaneously in the ascitic fluid of 15 patients. RESULTS: Serum CA125 levels in 80% of (24/30) patients from group I were elevated, particularly in those with ascites, irrespective of the etiology of cirrhosis. Serum CA 125 levels were correlated with Child-Pugh scores (r = 0.38), but not significantly (P = 0.06). All patients from group II with ascites and from group III had elevated serum CA 125 levels, but there was no difference in the serum CA 125 levels between patients with ascites from group I (275 +/- 175 U/mL), group II (368 +/- 190 U/mL) or group III (396 +/- 287 U/mL), nor was there a significant difference in ascitic CA 125 levels (P > 0.05). The levels of serum CA 125 (198 +/- 108 U/mL) were lower than, but correlated with that of ascites (460 +/- 234 U/mL, r = 0.58, P = 0.026). The elevation of serum CA 125 accompanied by abnormalities of other tumor markers was more common in malignant ascites than in benign ascites (90% compared with 6%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The elevation of serum CA 125 is common in patients with liver cirrhosis. It is related to the presence of ascites, and possibly to the insufficiency of liver function, but not the etiology of cirrhosis and ascites. Serum CA 125 probably comes from ascites. It usually predicts benign disease if the elevation of serum or ascites CA 125 is not accompanied by the abnormalities of other tumor markers.     

Evaluation of fibronectin as a marker of malignant ascites

The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of fibronectin, a glycoprotein, for the diagnosis of malignant ascites and to compare it with conventional parameters. Ascitic fluid samples from 50 patients, 25 with intra-abdominal malignancy and 25 without it were analysed for total protein concentration, fluid/serum protein ratio, glucose concentration, leucocyte count, pH, fibronectin concentration (by ELISA) and for malignant cell cytology. Twenty-two of the 25 patients with ascites and intra-abdominal malignancy had documented peritoneal metastases in group A. The 25 patients with non-malignant ascites constituted group B. Mean values of ascitic fluid fibronectin, for groups A and B were 538 +/- 46 micrograms/mL and 60 +/- 4.92 micrograms/mL, respectively (P less than 0.001). Within the group with malignant ascites, patients who had positive malignant cytology (n = 12) exhibited a significantly higher ascitic fluid fibronectin concentration than patients with negative cytology (P less than 0.05). While mean ascitic fluid protein concentration showed a significant difference (P less than 0.01) between the two groups, there was no difference in respect to ascitic fluid pH, glucose concentration and leucocyte count. Malignant cell cytology was positive in 54.5% of group A patients with no false positive report in group B. The diagnostic accuracy for differentiating malignant from non-malignant ascites was 100% for a fibronectin value of greater than or equal to 110 micrograms/mL as compared with 78.7% for ascitic fluid protein concentration greater than or equal to 0.5 g/dL, 57.4% for leucocyte count greater than or equal to 1000/mm3, 59.6% for pH less than 7.45 and 78.7% for malignant cell cytology.     

Quantitating bedside diagnosis

The authors prospectively evaluated the operating characteristics of the history and physical examination for ascites in a broad spectrum of hospitalized patients. The overall clinical evaluation produced a positive likelihood ratio = 37.7−83.3 when suggestive of ascites, a likelihood ratio = 2.23−3.42 when intermediate, and a negative likelihood ratio = 0.77 − 0.90 when not suggestive of ascites. Patients’ perceptions of increased abdominal girth (positive likelihood ratio = 4.16) or recent weight gain (positive likelihood ratio = 3.20) increased the likelihood of ascites. The absence of subjective ankle swelling (negative likelihood ratio = 0.10) or increased abdominal girth (negative likelihood ratio = 0.17) decreased the likelihood of ascites. The positive likelihood ratios for a fluid wave = 9.6 and shifting dullness = 5.76 favored ascites, while the absence of bulging flanks (negative likelihood ratio = 0.12) or peripheral edema (negative likelihood ratio = 0.17) favored ascites the least. Thus, a routine history and physical examination are quantitatively useful in the clinical evaluation of ascites. Presented at the meeting of the Southern Section of the Society for Research and Education in Primary Care Internal Medicine, New Orleans, LA, February 6–8, 1986. Supported in part by the A. W. Mellon Foundation.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for refractory ascites: a meta-analysis of individual patient data

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Several randomized controlled trials have compared a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with large-volume paracentesis in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites. Although all agree that TIPS reduces the recurrence rate of ascites, survival is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of TIPS and large-volume paracentesis in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites by means of meta-analysis of individual patient data from 4 randomized controlled trials. METHODS: The study population consisted of 305 patients: 149 allocated to TIPS and 156 to paracentesis. Cumulative probabilities of transplant-free survival and of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences assessed by log-rank test. The total number of HE episodes per patient was also compared between TIPS and paracentesis. RESULTS: Tense ascites recurred in 42% of patients allocated to TIPS and 89% allocated to paracentesis (P < .0001). Sixty-five patients in the TIPS group and 78 in the paracentesis group died. The actuarial probability of transplant-free survival was significantly better in the TIPS group (P = .035). Cox regression analysis performed in a subgroup of 235 patients (114 allocated to TIPS and 121 to paracentesis) showed that age, serum bilirubin level, plasma sodium level, and treatment allocation were independently associated with transplant-free survival. The average number of HE episodes was significantly higher in the TIPS group (1.13 +/- 1.93 vs 0.63 +/- 1.18; P = .006), although the cumulative probability of developing the first episode of HE was similar between the groups (P = .19). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis of individual patient data provides further evidence to the previous meta-analyses of literature data showing that TIPS significantly improves transplant-free survival of cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites.     

Chylous Ascites Secondary to Pancreatitis: Management of an Uncommon Entity Using Parenteral Nutrition and Octreotide

Malignancy, surgical trauma, cirrhosis and tuberculosis account for more than 95% of causes for chylous ascites. We report a case of persistent chylous ascites following acute pancreatitis that responded to parenteral nutrition and octreotide. A 50 year-old male was diagnosed with acute alcoholic pancreatitis after presenting with typical abdominal pain, and elevated amylase and lipase. The acute symptoms resolved within one week. Four weeks later he started developing increased abdominal girth. Examination revealed the presence of shifting dullness and paracentesis confirmed diagnosis of chylous ascites. Investigations for the common causes of chylous ascites were negative. Laparoscopy confirmed the presence of fat necrosis within mesenteric lymph nodes linking the chylous ascites to the episode of pancreatitis. The Chylous ascites was resistant to the usual medical therapy, but responded only to the combination of octreotide and total parenteral nutrition with complete resolution of ascites in 8 weeks. This case of chylous ascites secondary to pancreatitis represents an uncommon presentation with effective management resulting in a dramatic response.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in liver transplant recipients

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in liver transplant (LT) recipients with refractory ascites/variceal bleeding and to compare the observed outcomes with those obtained in cirrhotic controls. Methods: Clinical features of 14 LT recipients referred for TIPS placement between August 1985 and September 2006 were reviewed and compared with published series and 28 cirrhotic control patients undergoing TIPS. Results: The median age of the 14 LT recipients was 52 years, 57% had chronic hepatitis C virus and the median time from LT to TIPS placement was 46 months. Portal vein thromboses in two patients and a procedural complication in another patient precluded TIPS deployment. Among the 11 patients who completed TIPS, the mean hepatic venous pressure gradient was significantly reduced post‐TIPS (18.3 ± 6.1 to 9.0 ± 3.5 mmHg, P<0.01). However, only 50% of the patients with varices had no further bleeding and 57% of the refractory ascites patients required no further paracentesis. In addition to a single peri‐procedural death and renal failure in three others, four patients (29%) developed infection and nine (82%) developed new onset or worsening encephalopathy at a median of 11 days post‐TIPS. The 1‐year patient survival of 14% was substantially lower than that observed in other series of LT recipients (57–67%) as well as the matched cirrhotic control group undergoing TIPS (58%). Conclusion: The frequent morbidity noted in LT recipients undergoing TIPS, coupled with the low 1‐year patient survival, demonstrates that portal decompression provides only marginal short‐term benefit in the absence of retransplantation.