Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Procedure in a Swine Model

A new method is described for guiding hepato-portal venous puncture using a longitudinal side-view intravascular ultrasound (L-IVUS) transducer to assist in the performance of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in three Australian swine. Simultaneous L-IVUS with an AcuNav® 5–10 MHz 10 Fr transducer (Acuson Corporation, Mountain View, CA, USA) and fluoroscopy guidance was used to image and monitor the hepatic to portal venous puncture, dilatation of the tract, and deployment of the TIPS stent. Flow through the shunt could be demonstrated with both L-IVUS and angiography. TIPS was successful in all swine. The time for portal vein puncture once the target portal vein was identified was reduced at each attempt. The number of portal vein puncture attempts was 2, 1, and 1. No post-procedural complication was evident. L-IVUS-guided TIPS is practical and has the potential to improve safety by permitting simultaneous ultrasound and fluoroscopic imaging of the needle and target vascular structures. This technique allows for a more streamlined approach to TIPS, decreasing the fluoroscopic time (hence, decreasing the radiation exposure to the staff and patient) and anesthetic time. In addition, there are improved safety benefits obviating the need for wedged portography, facilitating avoidance of bile duct and hepatic arterial puncture, and minimizing hepatic injury by decreasing liver capsular puncture and the attendant risks.     

Radiation Exposure in Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation

Purpose

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation is considered as being one of the most complex procedures in abdominal interventional radiology. Our aim was twofold: quantification of TIPS-related patient radiation exposure in our center and identification of factors leading to reduced radiation exposure.

Materials and methods

Three hundred and forty seven consecutive patients underwent TIPS in our center between 2007 and 2014. Three main procedure categories were identified: Group I (n = 88)—fluoroscopic-guided portal vein targeting, procedure done in an image intensifier-based angiographic system (IIDS); Group II (n = 48)—ultrasound-guided portal vein puncture, procedure done in an IIDS; and Group III (n = 211)—ultrasound-guided portal vein puncture, procedure done in a flat panel detector-based system (FPDS). Radiation exposure (dose-area product [DAP], in Gy cm² and fluoroscopy time [FT] in minutes) was retrospectively analyzed.

Results

DAP was significantly higher in Group I (mean ± SD 360 ± 298; median 287; 75th percentile 389 Gy cm²) as compared to Group II (217 ± 130; 178; 276 Gy cm²; p = 0.002) and Group III (129 ± 117; 70; 150 Gy cm² p < 0.001). The difference in DAP between Groups II and III was also significant (p < 0.001). Group I had significantly longer FT (25.78 ± 13.52 min) as compared to Group II (20.45 ± 10.87 min; p = 0.02) and Group III (19.76 ± 13.34; p < 0.001). FT was not significantly different between Groups II and III (p = 0.73).

Conclusions

Real-time ultrasound-guided targeting of the portal venous system during TIPS creation results in a significantly lower radiation exposure and reduced FT. Further reduction in radiation exposure can be achieved through the use of modern angiographic units with FPDS.

     

再谈经颈静脉肝内门腔分流术

经颈静脉肝内门腔分流术 (下称TIPSS)广泛试用于临床以来 ,引起放射科和肝胆科医生们的高度重视和极大的兴趣。近年来 ,美国和欧洲的医学界就此项技术应用于治疗门静脉高压症及预防肝硬化病人近期出血有过多次专题讨论和经验交流[1～ 8] 。我国也先后有很多医院开展了这项工作     

Late Intrahepatic Hematoma Complicating Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for Budd-Chiari Syndrome

Late intrahepatic hematoma is a rare complication of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. We describe a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) who presented with a large intrahepatic hematoma 13 days after TIPS. Review of the literature revealed only 2 previous cases, both occurring in patients with BCS and presenting after a similar time interval. This potentially serious complication appears to be specific for TIPS in BCS.     

Late Intrahepatic Hematoma Complicating Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for Budd-Chiari Syndrome

Late intrahepatic hematoma is a rare complication of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. We describe a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), who presented with a large inrahepatic hematoma 13 days after TIPS. Review of the literature reveals only two previous cases, both occurring in patients with BCS and presenting after a similar time interval. This potentially serious complication appears to be specific for TIPS in BCS.     

Transcaval Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt: Preliminary Clinical Results

Objective

To determine the feasibility of transcaval transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation in patients with unusual anatomy between the hepatic veins and portal bifurcation, and inaccessible or inadequate hepatic veins.

Materials and Methods

Transcaval TIPS, performed in six patients, was indicated by active variceal bleeding (n=2), recurrent variceal bleeding (n=2), intractable ascites (n=1), and as a bridge to liver transplantation (n=1). The main reasons for transcaval rather than classic TIPS were the presence of an unusually acute angle between the hepatic veins and the level of the portal bifurcation (n=3), hepatic venous occlusion (n=2), and inadequate small hepatic veins (n=1).

Results

Technical and functional success was achieved in all patients. The entry site into liver parenchyma from the inferior vena cava was within 2 cm of the atriocaval junction. Procedure-related complications included the death of one patient due to hemoperitoneum despite the absence of contrast media spillage at tractography, and another suffered reversible hepatic encephalopathy.

Conclusion

In patients with unusual anatomy between the hepatic veins and portal bifurcation, and inaccessible or inadequate hepatic veins, transcaval TIPS creation is feasible.     

经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉内支架分流术的临床应用：附86例随访分析

报告８６例经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉内支架分流术（ＴＩＰＳＳ）的临床应用结果，主要探讨与建立分流道有关的技术问题和影响疗效的因素。８６例中男６８例，女１８例，年龄２２～７４岁（平均４８岁）７１例有明确的乙型肝炎病史，６９例有一次以上呕血或黑便中，５８例曾接受一次以上经内镜注射硬化剂治疗，６例因大出血不止行急诊ＴＩＰＳＳ。全部病例有中度以上食管胃底静脉曲张。结果：７８例成功，８例失败，无死记并发症，建立分     

ePTFE-Covered Stent-Grafts for Revision of Obstructed Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

Purpose: To determine whether transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) revisions with the Hemobahn stent-graft or the Viatorr endoprosthesis increase secondary patency rates. Methods: Between 1998 and June 1999, Hemobahn endoprostheses (W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) were used for the revision of obstructed TIPS in seven patients, 51–67 years of age (mean 59 years). From June 1999 to 2000, the Viatorr endoprosthesis (W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) was used for revision of obstructed TIPS in nine patients, 33–64 years of age (mean 49 years). Follow-up included duplex ultrasound, clinical assessment and venous portography. Results: The technical success rate of TIPS revision with the Hemobahn stent-graft was 100%. The pressure gradient decreased from a mean of 20 mmHg to 10 mmHg. The mean follow-up was 407 days (range 81–868 days). In two patients TIPS occlusion occurred at 62 and 529 days after stent-graft placement, respectively; in another two patients outflow tract stenosis occurred at 275 and 393 days, respectively. The technical success rate of TIPS revision with the Viatorr endoprosthesis was also 100%. The pressure gradient decreased from a mean of 27 mmHg to 11 mmHg. At a mean follow-up of 201 days (range 9–426 days), all Viatorr endoprostheses are still patent without in-graft stenosis, but angioplasty was required in two patients to treat a portosystemic pressure gradient > 15 mmHg. Four of the nine patients in the Viatorr group suffered from new encephalopathy after TIPS revision. Conclusion: The Viatorr endoprosthesis yielded optimal results with 100% in-graft patency rates at follow-up but had a high incidence of new encephalopathy, whereas the use of Hemobahn stent-graft for TIPS revision did not appear to improve the secondary patency rates in our series.     

多层螺旋CT在TIPSS术后随访中的应用研究

目的:探讨多层螺旋CT血管成像(MSCTA)在TIPSS术后随访中的价值.方法:17例TIPSS术后患者(共19支支架)行MSCT门静脉成像,采用最大密度投影(MIP)、曲面重组(CPR)和容积再现(VR)技术进行图像后处理.17例中6例进行了DSA检查,11例得到了病理标本.将MSCTA表现与病理或DSA结果进行对照分析.结果:MSCTA发现19支支架中完全闭塞3支,支架狭窄4支,肝静脉端狭窄3支,同时伴有支架内和肝静脉端狭窄3支,未见明显异常6支.与DSA或病理对照,CTA诊断支架狭窄的诊断符合率和特异度分别为90%和83.3%,诊断支架闭塞的诊断符合率和特异度分别为100%和94.1%.结论:MSCTA可准确显示TIPSS术后支架的通畅性,为外科提供了一种无创的随访和筛查的手段.