Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt after previous recanalization of a chronically thrombosed portal vein via a transmesenteric approach

We report a cirrhotic patient with complete occlusion of the portal vein with marked cavernous transformation due to chronic thrombosis in whom a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was successfully created after direct minilaparotomy mesenteric vein catheterization, lysis and aspiration of the thrombus, and stenting in the portal vein. The methods used, we believe, provide a new technique for performing TIPS in chronically thrombosed portal veins in which previously no effective surgical therapeutic options were available. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Thrombosis of a Superior Mesenteric Vein Aneurysm: Transarterial Thrombolysis and Transhepatic Aspiration Thrombectomy

We report the case of a 31-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain due to acute thrombosis of a superior and inferior mesenteric vein aneurysm, which was treated by a combination of arterial thrombolysis and transhepatic thrombus aspiration. At the last follow-up CT, 21 months following this procedure, there was no evidence of rethrombosis, and the patient continues to do well under oral anticoagulation. The literature regarding these uncommon mesenteric vein aneurysms without portal vein involvement, as well as their treatment options, is reviewed.     

Interventional Radiological Management of Prehepatic Obstruction the Splanchnic Venous System

Purpose The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate interventional radiological management of patients with symptomatic portal hypertension secondary to obstruction of splanchnic veins. Material and Methods Twenty-four patients, 15 males and 9 females, 0.75 to 79 years old (mean, 36.4 years), with symptomatic portal hypertension, secondary to splanchnic venous obstruction, were treated by percutaneous methods. Causes and extent of splanchnic venous obstruction and methods are summarized following a retrospective evaluation. Results Obstructions were localized to the main portal vein (n = 22), intrahepatic portal veins (n = 8), splenic vein (n = 4), and/or mesenteric veins (n = 4). Interventional treatment of 22 (92%) patients included recanalization (n = 19), pharmacological thrombolysis (n = 1), and mechanical thrombectomy (n = 5). Partial embolization of the spleen was done in five patients, in two of them as the only possible treatment. TIPS placement was necessary in 10 patients, while an existing occluded TIPS was revised in two patients. Transhepatic embolization of varices was performed in one patient, and transfemoral embolization of splenorenal shunt was performed in another. Thirty-day mortality was 13.6% (n=3). During the follow-up, ranging between 2 days and 58 months, revision was necessary in five patients. An immediate improvement of presenting symptoms was achieved in 20 patients (83%). Conclusion We conclude that interventional procedures can be successfully performed in the majority of patients with obstruction of splanchnic veins, with subsequent improvement of symptoms. Treatment should be customized according to the site and nature of obstruction. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement in Patients with Cirrhosis and Concomitant Portal Vein Thrombosis

Purpose To determine the safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation in patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by thrombosed portal vein. Methods This study reviewed 15 cases of TIPS creation in 15 cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis at our institution over an 8-year period. There were 2 women and 13 men with a mean age of 53 years. Indications were refractory ascites, variceal hemorrhage, and refractory pleural effusion. Clinical follow-up was performed in all patients. Results The technical success rate was 75% (3/4) in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis associated with cavernomatous transformation and 91% (10/11) in patients with acute thrombosis or partial thrombosis, giving an overall success rate of 87%. Complications included postprocedural encephalopathy and localized hematoma at the access site. In patients with successful shunt placement, the total follow-up time was 223 months. The 30-day mortality rate was 13%. Two patients underwent liver transplantation at 35 days and 7 months, respectively, after TIPS insertion. One patient had an occluded shunt at 4 months with an unsuccessful revision. The remaining patients had functioning shunts at follow-up. Conclusion TIPS creation in thrombosed portal vein is possible and might be a treatment option in certain patients.     

症状性门静脉阻塞的介入治疗

目的　评价介入技术治疗症状性门静脉 (PV)阻塞的安全性和疗效。方法　对 9例PV阻塞患者进行了介入治疗 ,5例以门静脉高压症、食管 胃静脉曲张破裂出血就诊 (2例继发于肝移植后 ,3例HCC合并PV癌栓 ) ,3例为PV血栓形成 ,另 1例继发于腹部外科手术。 4例采取经皮经肝途径穿刺PV分支 ,5例用TIPS途径。支架置入 4例、球囊扩张成型 6例次、局部溶栓和血栓清除 7例次。结果　治疗技术均成功 ,无重要并发症。介入治疗后复查PV造影显示PV主干血流通畅。 3例腹部症状较明显的PV血栓形成患者 ,术后腹痛、腹胀和腹泻等症状逐渐减轻。随访时间 4～ 36个月 ,1例HCC患者于术后 11个月死于多器官转移 ;1例继发于腹部外科术后患者 ,虽然PV主干恢复血流、临床症状曾一度改善 ,但于 12d后死于腹腔脓肿、多器官衰竭。其余 7例生存 ,Doppler超声复查证实PV主干血流通畅 ,患者未再发生静脉曲张破裂出血或PV血栓相关症状。结论　介入微创技术 ,包括球囊扩张、支架置入、局部溶栓和机械性血栓清除术 ,是治疗症状性PV阻塞的的安全、有效方法     

Applications of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and portal vein thrombosis

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an uncommon cause for presinusoidal portal hypertension. PVT can be caused by one of three broad mechanisms: (1) spontaneous thrombosis when thrombosis develops in the absence of mechanical obstruction, usually in the presence of inherited or acquired hypercoagulable states; (2) intrinsic mechanical obstruction because of vascular injury and scarring or invasion by an intrahepatic or adjacent tumor; or (3) extrinsic constriction by adjacent tumor, lymphadenopathy or inflammatory process. Usually, several combined factors are necessary to result in PVT. The consequences of portal vein thrombosis are mostly related to the extension of the clot within the vein. Gastrointestinal bleeding from gastroesophageal varices is the most frequent presentation. Noninvasive imaging techniques are currently used for the screening of patients and the initial diagnosis of PVT. The invasive techniques are reserved for cases when noninvasive techniques are inconclusive, before percutaneous interventional treatment, or in preoperative assessment of patients who are candidates for surgery. Recanalization of the portal vein with anticoagulation alone may not be consistent or appropriate in highly symptomatic patients. Catheterization of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is helpful for diagnosis as well as for therapy by allowing the intra-arterial infusion of thrombolytic drugs in the same setting. Direct transhepatic portography allows precise determination of the degree of stenosis and extension within the portal vein, as well as pressure measurements. Thrombotic occlusions of the portal, mesenteric, and splenic veins can be managed by mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or pharmacologic thrombolysis. Underlying occlusions because of organized or refractory thrombus or fixed venous stenosis are best corrected by balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Access into the portal venous system can also be established through creating a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Creating a TIPS is also important in the setting of PVT associated with cirrhosis to decompress portal hypertension and improve portal venous flow. PVT involving the portal, splenic, and/or mesenteric veins can also complicate a preexisting TIPS in which case the shunt can be readily used as therapy access. Several techniques may be used to recanalize the shunt and portal venous system, including thrombolytic therapy, balloon angioplasty/embolectomy, suction embolectomy, basket extraction of clots, and mechanical thrombectomy with a variety of devices. Advantages of MT include the potential to rapidly remove thrombus without the need for prolonged thrombolytic infusions, and reducing the potential life-threatening complications of thrombolytic therapy. Possible drawbacks include the risk of intimal or vascular trauma to the portal vein, which may promote recurrent thrombosis.     

Combined Pharmacomechanical Thrombolysis of Complete Portomesenteric Thrombosis in a Liver Transplant Recipient

Treatment options for portomesenteric venous thrombosis range from anticoagulation to surgery, depending on chronicity, severity of symptoms, extent of thrombosis, and the availability of local expertise. For acute and subacute cases, a variety of endovascular options have been described in limited published series and case reports, including thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. We report what is to our knowledge the first case in which the Trellis pharmacomechanical thrombolysis device was used successfully to treat complete acute thrombosis of the entire superior mesenteric vein and the entire portal vein with extension into all segmental intrahepatic portal branches in a young adult after liver transplantation. This device, coupled with adjunctive techniques using balloon catheters, facilitated complete restoration of flow, resulting in graft salvage and long-term patency.     

Limitations of percutaneous techniques in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis

New therapeutic alternatives to portal vein thrombosis (PVT) include the percutaneous, transhepatic infusion of fibrinolytic agents, balloon dilatation, and stenting. These maneuvers have proven to be effective in some cases with acute, recent PVT. We have treated two patients with acute PVT via transhepatic or transjugular approaches and by using pharmacologic and mechanical thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Although both patients clinically improved, morphologic results were only fair and partial rethrombosis was observed. The limitations of percutaneous procedures in the recanalization of acute PVT in noncirrhotic patients are discussed.     

Diagnosis of an accessory portal vein and its clinical implications for portosystemic shunts

Purpose To present a peculiar anatomic portal veins variant and evaluate its clinical implications. Methods Among 118 consecutive patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS), six male patients were found to have an accessory portal vein, which was seen during direct portography. Results In all six patients, portograms showed an accessory small-caliber vein parallel to the trunk of the main portal vein ending in the right lobe of the liver. Two of the six accessory portal veins drained blood from coronary veins, precluding access to coronary vein embolization during TIPS. Conclusion An accessory portal vein is a rare anatomical variation with clinical significance for both surgical shunt placement and TIPS, as well as for transportal embolization of coronary veins.     

Hepatic Veins and Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis in a Child Treated by Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

We report the case of a 9-year-old boy with portal hypertension, due to Budd-Chiari syndrome, and retrohepatic inferior vena cava thrombosis, submitted to a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) by connecting the suprahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava directly to the portal vein. After 3 months, the withdrawal of anticoagulants promoted the thrombosis of the TIPS. At TIPS revision, thrombosis of the TIPS and the main portal vein and clots at the splenic and the superior mesenteric veins were found. Successful angiography treatment was performed by thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty of a severe stenosis at the distal edge of the stent.     

急性门静脉和肠系膜上静脉血栓形成的CT诊断

目的:分析急性门静脉及肠系膜上静脉血栓形成的临床及CT表现。方法:回顾性分析9例经手术及临床综合诊断证实的急性门静脉及肠系膜上静脉血栓形成病例的CT表现,9例均行CT平扫,3例行增强扫描。结果:9例CT平扫均显示门静脉或肠系膜上静脉增粗,7例见腔内高密度影,8例见腹腔积液,5例见小肠管壁增厚、水肿;3例强化扫描示静脉内低密度充盈缺损。结论:CT对诊断急性门静脉及肠系膜上静脉血栓形成具有重要意义;临床上对急性腹痛,不明原因腹水及可疑肠梗阻的病例,应注意观察其门脉系统情况。     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) in the Treatment of Venous Symptomatic Chronic Portal Thrombosis in Non-cirrhotic Patients

Purpose: To present a series of cases of non-cirrhotic patients with symptomatic massive portal thrombosis treated by percutaneous techniques. All patients underwent a TIPS procedure in order to maintain the patency of the portal vein by facilitating the outflow. Methods: A total of six patients were treated for thrombosis of the main portal vein (6/6); the main right and left branches (3/6) and the splenic vein (5/6) and superior mesenteric vein (6/6). Two patients had a pancreatic malignancy; one patient with an orthotopic liver transplant had been surgically treated for a pancreatic carcinoma. Two patients had idiopathic thrombocytosis, and in the remaining patient no cause for the portal thrombosis was identified. During the initial procedure in each patient one or more approaches were tried: transhepatic (5/6), transileocolic (1/6), trans-splenic (1/6) or transjugular (1/6). In all cases the procedure was completed with a TIPS with either ultrasound guidance (3/6), gun-shot technique (2/6) or fluoroscopic guidance (1/6). Results: No complications were observed during the procedures. One patient had a repeat episode of variceal bleeding at 30 months, one patient remained asymptomatic and was lost to follow-up at 24 months, two patients were successfully treated surgically (cephalic duodenopancreatectomy) and are alive at 4 and 36 months. One patient remains asymptomatic (without new episodes of abdominal pain) at 16 months of follow-up. One patient died because of tumor progession at 10 months. Conclusion: Percutaneous techniques for portal recanalization are an interesting alternative even in non-acute thrombosis. Once flow has been restored in the portal vein TIPS may be necessary to obtain an adequate outflow, hence facilitating and maintaining the portal flow.     

CO2与含碘液性造影剂行肝静脉楔入法造影显示门静脉的能力

目的回顾性分析应用二氧化碳气体（ＣＯ２）和含碘液性造影剂（ＩＣ）行肝静脉楔入法造影，探讨两种不同方法显示门静脉的能力。方法在４３例行经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术（ＴＩＰＳ）治疗的患者中，门静脉穿刺前行肝静脉楔入法造影，２３例应用ＣＯ２，２０例用ＩＣ。４２例门静脉穿刺后应用ＩＣ行直接法门静脉造影。分析应用两种造影剂行肝静脉楔入法造影显示门静脉的结果，并同直接法造影加以比较。结果在肝静脉楔入法造影中，应用ＣＯ２门静脉显示优良者为９１％（２１／２３），应用ＩＣ，则仅为１０％（２／２０）。ＣＯ２楔入法同直接法相比，结果基本一致以上者为８７％（２０／２３），而ＩＣ为１０％（２／２０）。３例ＴＩＰＳ失败者，２例行ＣＯ２楔入法造影显示了门静脉结构异常，１例未行ＣＯ２楔入法造影。结论应用ＣＯ２行肝静脉楔入法造影，可更容易和准确地显示门静脉的解剖结构。     

Recurrent TIPS failure associated with biliary fistulae: Treatment with PTFE-covered stents

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of covered stents for the treatment of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) obstruction in human subjects with identified or suspected biliary fistulae. Methods: Five patients were treated for early failure of TIPS revisions. All had mid-shunt thrombus, and four of these had demonstrable biliary fistulae. Three patients also propagated thrombus into the native portal venous system and required thrombolysis. TIPS were revised in four patients using a custom-made polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered Wallstent, and in one patient using a custom-made PTFE-covered Gianturco Z-stent. Results: All identified biliary fistulae were successfully sealed. All five patients maintained patency and function of the TIPS during follow-up ranging from 2 days to 21 months (mean 8.4 months). No patient has required additional revision. Thrombosis of the native portal venous system was treated with partial success by mechanical thrombolysis. Conclusion: Early and recurrent failure of TIPS with mid-shunt thrombosis, which may be associated with biliary fistulae, can be successfully treated using covered stents. Stent-graft revision appears to be safe, effective, and potentially durable.     

Traesjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in portai vein thrombosis: Role of the right gastric vein with anomalous insertion

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was performed in two patients with portal vein thrombosis. In both patients, hepatopetal flow had been maintained by an anomalous insertion of the right gastric vein (RGV) into the portal vein bifurcation and into the left portal branch respectively. In one patient, the main portal trunk could not be recanalized and the RGV was used as an accessory portal vein to place one stent for TIPS. In the other case, access through the partial portal-vein occlusion was gained and three stents were placed from the hepatic vein to the main portal vein distal to the thrombus. In portal vein thrombosis, the aberrant insertion of the RGV into the left or right portal branches may maintain patency of the intrahepatic portal system and, in case of unsuccessful recanalization of the porta, may represent the sole pathway for placing a TIPS     

Combined transhepatic and transjugular approach for mechanical thrombectomy of massive TIPS thrombosis

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a well-validated decompressive therapy option to manage ascites and variceal bleeding secondary to portal hypertension. Complications following TIPS procedures include hepatic encephalopathy, liver failure, and TIPS dysfunction. TIPS dysfunction is due to occlusion or stenosis of the TIPS shunt and can be caused by acute or chronic thrombosis. TIPS thrombosis is often treated with mechanical thrombectomy or catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy. Most cases of in-stent occlusion can be treated via a transjugular approach with recanalization or placement of additional stents. We present a case of a 72-year-old female who presented with worsening ascites 17 months after initial TIPS procedure; she was found to have a large thrombus completely occluding the TIPS stent. In our case, a combined transhepatic and transjugular approach was required for TIPS revision given the extent of well-organized clot located near the hepatic venous end of the stent, resulting from prolonged stent occlusion. This was an extremely challenging scenario with two overlapping covered stents and a bare metal stent at the hepatic venous end in the setting of chronic thrombosis and a well-organized fibrous cap. The case highlights the need for optimal initial placement of the primary TIPS shunt to avoid the need for subsequent complex interventions to maintain TIPS shunt patency.     

Mesenteric arteriovenous shunt associated with thrombosis of the portal venous system: Case report

We report a rare case of mesenteric arteriovenous shunt associated with thrombosis of the portal venous system. The angiographic features consisted of new vessel formation, thrombosis of the main portal vein, superior mesenteric vein and branches, and early filling of distal mesenteric veins with hepatopetal collateral flow. This phenomenon may be due to new vessel formation within the portal vein thrombosis and active lysis of the thrombus exposing the organizing vessels to the distal superior mesenteric veins.     

Successful Recanalization of Acute Superior Mesenteric Artery Thromboembolic Occlusion by a Combination of Intraarterial Thrombolysis and Mechanical Thrombectomy with a Carotid Filter

Acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion is a life-threatening disease, and acute intestinal ischemia develops from the sudden decrease in perfusion to the intestines. The key to saving the patient’s life is early diagnosis, and prompt revascularization of the SMA can prevent intestinal infarction and decrease the risk of bowel segment necrosis. Computed tomographic angiography may be useful for rapid diagnosis. We report recanalization of an SMA occlusion in an 80-year-old man with a combination of intraarterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy with a carotid filter.     

Mechanical thrombectomy of acute thrombosis in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of mechanical thrombectomy with the use of the Amplatz thrombectomy device (ATD) in restoring patency to acutely thrombosed stent-shunts after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. METHODS: Mechanical thrombectomy with the ATD was performed in 10 consecutive patients with angiographically documented complete thrombosis of the stent-shunt (mean +/- SD, 6.6 +/- 3.4 cm), which occurred an average of 2.8 months (range, 0-11 months) after the TIPS procedure. RESULTS: In all patients, immediate restoration of patency of the stent-shunt was achieved after thrombectomy alone (n = 1), thrombectomy plus percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA; n = 4), and thrombectomy, PTA, and stenting (n = 5). The mean activation time of the ATD was 253 +/- 43 seconds. The pressure gradient for portal decompression decreased from 23 +/- 6 mmHg before to 11 +/- 3 mmHg after the procedure. The primary patency rate was 80% at 3 months and 60% at 11 months. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical thrombectomy with the ATD in acutely thrombosed TIPS is technically feasible. Mechanical thrombectomy is a potential alternative to thrombolysis.     

急性肠系膜上动脉栓塞经皮动脉长鞘抽吸去栓的实验研究

目的 探讨急性肠系膜上动脉栓塞后经皮抽吸去栓的安全性和可行性.方法 选择杂种犬12只,采用动脉长鞘推注自体血栓法建立急性肠系膜上动脉栓塞动物模型,按取栓时间 (2、4、6 h) 分成3组,每组各4只,分别于栓塞后2、4、6 h用8 F动脉长鞘采用经皮抽吸去栓术进行去栓.结果 各组实验动物均成功去栓,技术成功率为100%.3组平均取栓时间为(2.48 ± 0.47)min,收集的血液量平均为(41.0 ± 4.2)ml.去栓后血管造影复查发现各组肠系膜上动脉主干均显示再通,少数( ＜ 4,且不相邻)二级血管内可见血栓残留.去栓过程中及去栓后未见血管损伤、小肠出血等严重并发症出现.结论 对于急性肠系膜上动脉主干栓塞,用8 F动脉长鞘经皮抽吸去栓安全、有效,而且具有费用低、操作简便的优点.