ADF评估经颈静脉肝内门体分流术效果的作用研究

目的研究高级动态血流成像技术(ADF)评估经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)术后效果的价值。方法纳入2017年7月至2019年7月于我院收治的64例TIPS术后患者为研究对象,均行ADF检查,并以超声造影(CEUS)结果为金标准,对比ADF与CEUS评估TIPS术后患者支架通畅性分级结果,分析ADF与CEUS评估TIPS术后患者支架通畅性的一致性。结果 ADF检出0例0级,CEUS检出0例0级,诊断符合率为100.00%;ADF检出4例1级,CEUS检出3例1级,诊断符合率为98.44%;ADF检出4例2级,CEUS检出4例2级,诊断符合率为100.00%;ADF检出56例3级,CEUS检出57例3级,诊断符合率为95.31%。ADF评估TIPS术后患者支架通畅性的灵敏度为85.71%,特异度为96.49%,准确率为95.31%,阳性预测值为75.00%,阴性预测值为98.21%,Kappa值为0.77。结论 ADF可及时显示TIPS术后支架通畅情况,在评估TIPS效果中具有重要作用,值得临床推广。     

超声造影对乙型肝炎肝硬化门静脉高压患者经颈静脉肝内门体分流术后肝血流灌注的诊断

目的 利用超声造影技术(CEUS)观察乙型肝炎肝硬化门静脉高压患者经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)术后肝血流灌注的诊断价值。方法 选取2016年1月—2021年4月期间在南京医科大学附属淮安第一医院行TIPS术前、术后采用CEUS检查的患者56例,其中男性30例,女性26例,年龄为20～70岁,平均年龄(51.0±7.5)岁。同时对56例患者进行了彩色多普勒超声(CDUS),对CEUS和CDUS的诊断结果进行比较分析。结果 通过CEUS对患者TIPS术前、术后肝血流灌注的诊断结果比较显示,HAP及HPI术后均上升[(28.9±13.4)min·100 mL、(64.2±11.2)%],与术前[(20.0±9.3)min·100 mL、(54.4±19.5)%]比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);PVP及TLP术前与术后比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。通过CDUS和CEUS的诊断结果比较显示,在绝大多数病例中,CEUS和CDUS的检查结果具有高度的一致性,为89.3%;CEUS诊断灵敏性有98.2%。同时,在某些情况下,相比较CDUS,CEUS可以提供额外的检查...     

彩色多普勒血流显像在颈动脉狭窄患者支架置入术后随访中的应用

目的 应用彩色多普勒血流显像（CDFI）观察颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉支架置入术（CAS）后局部血管内径及血流速度的变化.方法 纳入术前行CDFI和DSA检查的缺血性脑血管病患者76例,对其中40例符合手术标准的中重度狭窄患者行CAS.术后3 d,1、3、6、12及24个月应用CDFI检测支架近心段、中段、远心段的内径和收缩期峰值血流速度（PSV）,并与DSA结果相比较.CAS后≥6个月,PSV≥155 cm/s的患者立即复查DSA,PSV正常的患者6个月后复查DSA.结果 ①40例CAS技术成功率为100%,1例（2.5%）死亡,2例失访,37例获得24个月随访,1例发生再狭窄（狭窄率为50%~69%）,再狭窄发生率为2.7%.②CAS后各时间点支架中段内径较术前明显改善,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.CAS后随时间延长,支架各段内径均逐渐增加,术后1~3个月增幅最明显,6、12及24个月支架各段内径与前一阶段比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,提示支架形态渐趋稳定.③CAS后各时间点支架各段PSV较术前明显改善,且均在正常范围内.④术前行CDFI和DSA检查的76例患者,两种方法诊断狭窄程度符合的有74例,其中2例DSA诊断为重度狭窄,CDFI诊断1例为中度狭窄,1例为闭塞.符合率为97.4%.术后≥6个月,共20例行DSA检查,CDFI与DSA均显示为轻度狭窄的有19例,中度狭窄的有1例.符合率为100%.结论 应用CDFI动态监测CAS后支架各段管径及血流的改变,有助于发现支架内再狭窄.与DSA比较,其检查结果可靠.     

彩色多普勒超声诊断肠系膜血管缺血性病变的价值

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声在诊断肠系膜血管缺血性病变中的价值。方法应用彩色多普勒超声(CDFI)及多排螺旋CT造影(CTA)对113例疑诊为腹部血管源性腹痛的患者进行检查,检查内容包括动脉管腔有无斑块、夹层、血栓等,观察动静脉管腔的彩色多普勒特征,测量狭窄处收缩期峰值速度,观察远段血流频谱特征;利用软件SPSS13.0计算CDFI检查诊断的灵敏度、特异度及其与CTA检查结果的一致性,评价CDFI诊断的真实性及可靠性。结果经CTA检查确诊肠系膜血管缺血性病变阳性患者为24例、阴性89例;CDFI检查阳性23例、阴性90例,包括肠系膜上动脉(SMA)狭窄13例,血栓栓塞5例,孤立性夹层并血栓3例,肠系膜上静脉(SMV)血栓2例,漏诊远段血栓栓塞5例,远段孤立性夹层3例,误诊SMA狭窄4例,远段血栓栓塞3例;CDFI检查诊断的灵敏度为66.67%,特异度为92.13%,Kappa值为0.597(95%CI:0.413~0.781)。结论 CDFI检查对肠系膜血管缺血性病变具有较高的诊断价值,能够比较准确地显示病变的部位、程度、有无血栓和夹层,及血流动力学的改变,对肠系膜血管源性腹痛的诊断及病因筛选具有重要的临床意义。     

经颈静脉肝内门体分流术联合胃左静脉栓塞术治疗肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血初步临床研究

目的 观察经颈静脉肝内门体分流术（TIPS）联合胃左静脉栓塞术（LGVE）治疗肝硬化并发食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者的治疗效果。方法 使用TIPS联合LGVE术治疗54例肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者。使用覆膜支架,术后给予抗凝治疗,使用内镜和彩色多普勒超声检查随访,了解支架通畅情况和患者再出血、肝性脑病和生存率情况。结果 54例肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者均成功接受TIPS联合LGVE术。术后门脉压力由术前的35.7±2.1 cmH2O下降到25.3±2.3 cmH2O,差异有统计学意义（t=4.90,P<0.05）;术后随访7个月～5年,52例（96.3%）支架通畅,2例（3.7%）发生再出血,12例（22.2%）发生肝性脑病,51例（94.4%）生存。结论 TIPS联合LGVE术治疗肝硬化并发食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者临床疗效满意。     

窗技术及CT值测量评估冠状动脉支架狭窄的价值

目的探讨窗技术及CT值测量诊断冠状动脉支架狭窄(ISR)的临床价值。方法对21例冠状动脉支架置入的患者(共29枚)行冠状动脉造影(CAG)及CT血管造影(CTA)。采用大窗宽、窗位(2 500/900 HU),比较通畅组及狭窄组支架近端、腔内及远端CT值的差异。结果29枚支架CTA诊断通畅20枚,狭窄9枚,CAG显示通畅21枚,狭窄为8枚,两者比较,CTA诊断腔内狭窄的敏感性为100%,特异性为95.2%,阳性预测值为88.9%,阴性预测值为100%。通畅组与狭窄组支架腔内及远端的CT值有统计学差异(P<0.05);支架近端管腔的CT值无统计学差异(P=0.35)。结论 CTA是评价冠状动脉支架通畅性的有效方法,大窗宽、窗位的应用及CT值测量对PCI术后的再狭窄判断有很大的应用价值。     

64排螺旋CT评定冠心病PCI术后支架内再狭窄的价值

目的:探讨64排螺旋CT诊断冠心病患者PCI术后支架内再狭窄(ISR)的价值。方法:120例冠心病PCI术后患者分别接受64排螺旋CT冠状动脉成像检查和常规冠状动脉造影(CAG)检查,对冠状动脉支架再狭窄进行评估。结果:以CAG作为金标准,64排螺旋CT冠状动脉成像检查诊断ISR阳性的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为87.5%、95.3%、80.0%、97.3%。结论:64排螺旋CT冠脉成像诊断冠脉支架再狭窄的敏感性和准确性较高,可作为冠状动脉支架植入术后患者随访的无创性手段之一。     

经颈静脉门体分流术后预防支架内血栓形成及消化道出血临床研究

目的观察经颈静脉门体分流(TIPS)术后不同抗血小板治疗方案对支架内血栓形成以及消化道出血事件的影响。方法选取2013年6月至2014年6月于温州医科大学附属第一医院行TIPS术的乙型肝炎后肝硬化失代偿期患者共计60例,将其随机分为两组,每组30例。试验组行TIPS术后予长期服用阿司匹林及氯吡格雷1年,对照组行TIPS术后予氯吡格雷1年,术后长期随访,定期B超复查门静脉支架血流通畅情况。结果 (1)随访期内试验组发生1例支架堵塞,对照组发生2例支架堵塞;(2)试验组有9例出现术后消化道出血事件,对照组有2例出现消化道出血事件。结论 TIPS术后联合用阿司匹林和氯吡格雷不能降低支架阻塞事件的发生,且具有较高的消化道出血风险。建议TIPS术后单用氯吡格雷抗血小板治疗。     

CDFI与TCCS联合MRA在脑部疾病后循环缺血病人诊断中的应用价值

目的探讨彩色多普勒血流显像(CDFI)、经颅彩色多普勒超声(TCCS)联合磁共振血管造影(MRA)在脑部疾病后循环缺血(PCI)病人诊断中的应用价值。方法选取我院2015年4月—2017年6月疑似PCI病人104例,均行MRA、CDFI、TCCS检查,并以数字减影血管造影(DSA)诊断结果为金标准,统计比较MRA、CDFI、TCCS单一与三者联合检测的敏感度、特异度、准确度。结果 104例疑似病人中,DSA检查结果显示,PCI阳性64例,PCI阴性40例。三者联合检测敏感度(93.75%)、特异度(95.00%)、准确度(94.23%)高于MRA(75.00%、75.00%、75.00%)、CDFI(71.88%、70.00%、71.15%)、TCCS(56.25%、60.00%、57.69%)单一检测,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);椎-基底动脉病变检查时,CDFI V1段、V2段病变检出情况较好,TCCS V4段、基底动脉病变检出情况较好,MRA适用于全面评估。结论 CDFI、TCCS联合MRA可提高脑部疾病后循环缺血病人诊断特异度、敏感度及准确度,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

双源CT与冠状动脉造影在冠心病患者冠状动脉支架内再狭窄评估中的价值

目的通过对比分析双源CT(DSCT)与冠状动脉造影(CAG)评估支架内再狭窄(ISR)的结果,探讨DSCT评估冠状动脉ISR的能力。方法 106例同期行DSCT冠状动脉血管成像及选择性CAG检查的患者,以CAG结果为标准,分析比较DSCT诊断ISR的敏感性、特异性及准确性。支架所在管腔狭窄大于50%被认为ISR。结果 173枚支架中,除17枚支架不能评价外,其余156枚支架DSCT全部显影良好。DSCT显示有ISR的支架33枚,CAG证实存在ISR的支架38枚,DSCT显示111枚支架内通畅,CAG证实支架内通畅118枚。DSCT诊断ISR的敏感度和特异度分别为86.8%和94.1%,阳性预测值82.5%,阴性预测值95.7%,一致率为92.3%。DSCT对直径≥3.0 mm支架的再狭窄检出的阳性预测值、特异性、敏感性优于直径<3.0 mm支架。结论 (1)DSCT可清晰显示冠状动脉支架的位置、支架腔内情况及支架远近端血管。(2)支架内径是影响支架腔内图像显示的重要原因。(3)DSCT在评估ISR方面,基本取代CAG作为大直径支架(支架直径>3 mm)通畅情况的评估方式,作为无创评估ISR的手段之一。     

Favorable clinical outcome using a covered stent following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with portal hypertension

Aims

To compare retrospectively the clinical outcomes in patients treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) using the novel polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents (Fluency) and bare stents.

Materials and methods

Sixty consecutive patients with portal hypertension treated with TIPS from April 2007 to April 2009 were included. TIPS creation was performed with Fluency stent grafts in 30 patients (group A) and with bare stents in 30 patients (group B). Liver function, TIPS patency and clinical outcomes were evaluated every 3 months after procedures.

Results

During hospitalization, there were no cases of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and recurrence of variceal bleedings. Acute shunt occlusion was found in one patient in each group. Follow-ups were performed in group A with average time of 6.16 ± 3.89 months and in group B with 8.34 ± 4.42 months. The rates of recurrent bleeding, shunt occlusion, HE and mortality were 0.03, 0.0, 16.7 and 0% in group A, and 20.0, 30.0, 20.0 and 13.3% in group B, respectively. There was no difference of HE between group A and group B. The decrease of portal pressure and portosystemic pressure gradient, and the increase of portal flow were 34.1 and 23.3%, 60.0 and 52.8%, and 189.5 and 111.1% in group A and B, respectively. There were no differences of liver function between group A and B.

Conclusion

The Fluency stent graft is relatively safe and effective in TIPS creation, with a high patency rate compared with bare stents.     

PTFE-covered stents improve TIPS patency in Budd-Chiari syndrome

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) have been shown to be an efficient portal-systemic derivative treatment for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) patients uncontrolled by medical therapy. However, the main drawback of TIPS for this condition is a very high rate of shunt dysfunction. Recently, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stents have been shown to reduce the incidence of TIPS dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of TIPS dysfunction in 2 cohorts of BCS patients treated with bare or PTFE-covered stents. The study included 25 TIPS procedures (16 bare stents and 9 covered stents) with a median follow-up period of 20.4 months (range, 3.9-124.8). Fourteen of 16 patients (87%) receiving bare stents had TIPS dysfunction compared to 3 of the 9 patients (33%) receiving PTFE-covered stents (P = .005). The actuarial rates of primary patency in the bare-stent group were 19% at 1 year compared with 67% in the PTFE-covered stent group (P = .02; log-rank test). The number of additional interventional procedures to maintain TIPS patency was significantly greater in the bare-stent than in the PTFE-covered stent group (1.9 +/- 1.2 vs. 0.6 +/- 0.9; P = .007). The number of patients with clinical relapses was greater in the bare-stent group compared to the PTFE-covered stent group (13 vs. 5 episodes in 9 and 3 patients, respectively). In conclusion, PTFE-covered stents have a considerable advantage over bare stents for the TIPS treatment of BCS patients, with a lower dysfunction rate, a lower number of reinterventions, and fewer prosthesis requirements. PTFE-covered stents are preferable in patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome.     

Stent-grafts for the treatment of TIPS dysfunction:Fluency stent vs Wallgraft stent

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of an expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene-covered Fluency stent compared with that of a polyethylene terephthalate-covered Wallgraft stent for the management of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)dysfunction.METHODS:A retrospective review of patients who underwent TIPS revision with stent-grafts between May 2007 and June 2011 was conducted.The patients were divided into two groups according to the stentgrafts implanted:the Fluency stent(Bard Incorporated,Karlsruhe,Germany)and the Wallgraft stent(Boston Scientific,Galway,Ireland).The primary patency rates were calculated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method.RESULTS:A total of 73 patients were evaluated in this study:33 with Fluency stents and 40 with Wallgraft stents.The primary patency rates at 12 and 24 mo were 91% and 85%,respectively,in the Fluency stent group and 78% and 63%,respectively,in the Wallgraft stent group.The primary shunt patency rates after TIPS revision were significantly better with the Fluency stent than with the Wallgraft stent(P = 0.033).CONCLUSION:TIPS revision with the Fluency stent has higher medium-term patency rates than that with the Wallgraft stent.     

双支架技术在TIPS治疗中的临床应用研究

目的观察采用双支架技术模拟Viatorr支架在TIPS中的应用效果。方法整群抽取2004年6月至2012年6月本院收治肝硬化门静脉高压出血和顽固性腹水患者242例,将2004年6月至2009年6月采用裸支架技术治疗的入组患者186例设为裸支架组(对照组),将2009年6月至2012年6月采用双支架技术模拟Viatorr支架方法治疗的入组患者56例设为模拟Viatorr组(观察组)。两组患者进行前后对照临床试验研究。两组患者在治疗前性别、年龄、肝功能Child分级及门静脉高压并发症等方面均无显著差异。模拟Viatorr组在分流道开通后先释放1枚8 mm×60 mm的裸支架,根据球囊上肝静脉-门静脉切迹,释放1枚8 mm×40 mm的覆膜支架,覆膜部分覆盖肝实质全程而不阻挡门静脉入肝血流,其余部分伸入肝静脉内。裸支架组(对照组)分流道开通后只放置1枚8 mm×60 mm的裸支架。两组患者常规用弹簧栓子栓塞胃冠状静脉。结果模拟Viatorr组56例均获得成功,裸支架组186例中有2例不成功,改为其他治疗。技术成功率分别为100%和98.9%。两组分流道建立后门静脉压力分别下降了(18±5.7)cm H2O和(18±3.4)cm H2O。随访12~36个月,用彩色多普勒超声观察分流道通畅情况。模拟Viatorr组和裸支架组分流道累计通畅率分别为67.8%和41.9%,差异有显著统计学意义(P=0.0007);模拟Viatorr组和裸支架组复发再出血率分别为21.4%和40%,差异显著有统计学意义(P=0.0056);模拟Viatorr组和裸支架组肝性脑病发生率分别为19.6%和10.2%,差异无统计学意义(P=0.0605)。模拟Viatorr组和裸支架组在治疗顽固性腹水的有效率分别为80%和72.7%,差异无统计学意义(P=0.425)。模拟Viatorr组有1例患者术后出现腹腔感染,抗感染治疗后好转;1例患者于术后2个月出现支架肝静脉端"盖帽",再次介入干预时未能成功。裸支架组有3例患者腹腔穿刺证实为腹腔内出血,经保守治疗后好转,无其他严重并发症发生。随访期间,模拟Viatorr组有7例(12.5%)、裸支架组有47例(25.2%)患者因分流道严重狭窄闭塞进行了1~3次再通术和支架植入术;模拟Viatorr组有5例、裸支架组有39例分别死于肝功能衰竭、肝癌和多器官衰竭。结论双支架模拟Viatorr支架方法能够提高TIPS中远期分流道通畅率,降低再出血率。     

Polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent grafts for TIPS procedure: 1-year patency and clinical results

OBJECTIVES: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stent grafts appear to have the potential to improve TIPS patency, but data available are few and controversial. The aim of this prospective nonrandomized trial was to assess TIPS safety and 1-yr patency with a new commercially available PTFE-covered stent graft in comparison with a group of historical controls treated with conventional stents. METHODS: Between July 1992 and December 1999, 87 consecutive cirrhotics underwent TIPS with conventional stents, while from January 2000 to November 2001, 32 consecutive cirrhotics were treated with PTFE-covered stent grafts. All patients were followed by the same medical team according to a prospective protocol for a diagnostic work-up and a surveillance strategy. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable for age, sex, etiology, and severity of cirrhosis. The 1-yr probability of remaining free of shunt dysfunction tended to be higher in the covered stent group: 76.3% (95% CI = 58.7-93.9%) versus 57.5% (95% CI = 46.6-68.4%); log rank test: p = 0.055. However, stenoses inside the stent were significantly higher in patients with bare stents (88% vs 17%), while stenoses at the hepatic or portal vein were more frequent in PTFE-covered stent-graft group (50% vs 9% and 33% vs 3%, respectively), (chi2 = 15.42; df = 2.0; p = 0.0004). Stenoses inside the covered portion of the stent did not occur. One-year cumulative rebleeding, encephalopathy, and survival were similar. CONCLUSIONS: PTFE-covered stents are able to solve pseudointimal hyperplasia within the stent tract, but have a high incidence of hepatic or portal vein stenosis. Improvements in stent design and insertion techniques are necessary to fully achieve the potential benefit of this new device.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for the treatment of refractory ascites

Background: The Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) corrects portal hypertension and has proven to be effective in controlling variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. Several reports have now appeared suggesting a possible role in patients with refractory ascites.
Aims: To examine the outcome of TIPS for the treatment of refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis.
Methods: Fifteen patients underwent TIPS for ascites between April 1992 and December 1996. The clinical findings, response to treatment, complications, shunt patency and survival of these patients were analysed.
Results: TIPS was successfully placed in all patients. The mean period of follow-up was 375 days (range: 14–1165 days). In eight patients (53%) there was a reduction in the degree of ascites after shunt insertion, with six patients (40%) having complete resolution. Age, Child-Pugh class or portal pressure gradient, before or after the procedure, were not predictive of response. Of five patients with renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >130 umol/L), only one had improvement in ascites control. Six patients (40%) required shunt revision during follow-up, either for acute thrombotic occlusion (two) or stent stenosis (four). New or worsening encephalopathy developed in ten patients (67%). Two patients (13%) died of liver failure within 30 days. Cumulative survival was 46% at one year and 18% at two years. Treatment response was associated with increased survival (ρ=0.02), with median survival of 658 days as compared with 71 days for treatment failure.
Conclusions: TIPS can be effective in the treatment of refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis. Our experience suggests the benefit may be less for patients with advanced liver disease and renal impairment. Controlled trials are needed to compare TIPS with other treatment modalities such as large volume paracentesis or peritoneovenous shunting.     

Expandable metal biliary stenting in patients with recurrent premature polyethylene stent occlusion

OBJECTIVES: Expandable metal stents are currently used to treat biliary tract obstruction. Few data exist on the role of metal stents in patients with recurrent premature plastic biliary stent occlusion. We report our preliminary results using an expandable metal biliary stent with enhanced stent flexibility in this group of patients. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of the Diamond biliary stent in the treatment of recurrent premature biliary plastic stent blockage. METHODS: From September 1997 to June 1998, six patients with inoperable biliary obstruction and at least one prior episode of plastic stent occlusion were treated with an expandable metal biliary prosthesis. There were four women and six men, with a mean age of 73+/-11 yr. Five patients had malignant biliary obstruction, and one inoperable patient had a biliary stricture secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Patients were followed-up prospectively until either stent occlusion or death. The patency duration of the metal stents was compared to that of the most recently placed plastic stents. RESULTS: All stents were successfully inserted endoscopically with visualized biliary drainage. No significant immediate postprocedural complications were noted. Median time from initial diagnosis of biliary obstruction to metal stent insertion was 35 wk (range 7-142), during which time patients had occluded a median of 4.5 plastic stents (range 2-5). Median patient survival was 117 days (15-312) and median time to blockage of the last plastic stent was 25.5 days (range 10-90 days). Three cases of metal stent occlusion occurred. One patient had early stent occlusion at 9 days because of debris and sludge clogging the metal stent. Two other patients developed stent occlusion at 120 and 157 days. Two stents remained patent until the patients' deaths at 15 and 87 days. Overall median stent patency was 139 days. The three patients who developed stent occlusion were treated with successful insertion of one or more plastic stents through the existing metal stent. Duration of metal stent patency was significantly longer than that of the last plastic stent (58.8 days longer; 95% CI [6.4, 111]; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Metal biliary prostheses represent an effective management strategy for recurrent plastic biliary stent obstruction. Patients in this subgroup may have a shorter duration of metal stent patency than the reported duration of stent patency in patients receiving initial metal stent placement. However the duration of patency still seems to be significantly longer than that of the most recently placed plastic stent.     

Selection of a TIPS stent for management of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis: An evidence-based review

Nowadays,transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)has become a mainstay treatment option for the management of portal hypertension-related complications in liver cirrhosis.Accumulated evidence has shown that its indications are being gradually expanded.Notwithstanding,less attention has been paid for the selection of an appropriate stent during a TIPS procedure.Herein,we attempt to review the current evidence regarding the diameter,type,brand,and position of TIPS stents.Several following recommendations may be considered in the clinical practice:(1)a 10-mm stent may be more effective than an 8-mm stent for the management of portal hypertension,and may be superior to a 12-mm stent for the improvement of survival and shunt patency;(2)covered stents are superior to bare stents for reducing the development of shunt dysfunction;(3)if available,Viatorr stent-grafts may be recommended due to a higher rate of shunt patency;and(4)the placement of a TIPS stent in the left portal vein branch may be more reasonable for decreasingthe development of hepatic encephalopathy.However,given relatively low quality of evidence,prospective well-designed studies should be warranted to further confirm these recommendations.     

Survival in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: ePTFE-covered stentgrafts versus bare stents

In patients with liver cirrhosis, implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic shunt (TIPS) leads to reduction of portal pressure, but not of mortality compared with other therapies. The high stenosis rates of conventional bare stents causes high reintervention rates and costs and may be correlated with poor survival. ePTFE-covered stentgrafts provide much improved patency rates, but their impact on survival is unclear. All suitable patients receiving either bare TIPS (419/466) or undergoing implantation of ePTFE endoprostheses (89/100) in several centers in Austria up to 2002 were included in this retrospective analysis. Both patient groups were compared regarding survival with Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. Unmatched and 1:1-matched survival analyses were performed. Patients undergoing ePTFE stentgraft implantation had significantly higher survival rates in all analyses. The 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates were 93%, 88%, and 76% for the ePTFE-group and 83%, 73%, and 62% for conventional TIPS patients, respectively. The matched survival analyses validated these findings. The model of the stent, patient age, and Child-Pugh Class (CPC) were independent predictors of survival. In conclusion, patients undergoing ePTFE-endoprosthesis implantation had higher survival rates within 2 years after TIPS-implantation. This may be the result of improved patency rates after correct placement (up to the inferior caval vein [ICV]) of the ePTFE stentgraft. These data should be validated in a prospective series.