Computed tomographic and angiographic studies of arterial liver perfusion following intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy using 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine

Fifty patients with liver metastases from colorectal primaries underwent hepatic intraarterial chemotherapy using 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine as an antitumour agent. Repeated computed tomography and angiography of the liver was performed during a follow-up period of a year. Following six months of regional chemotherapy, arterial perfusion abnormalities of the liver were detected in 40 of the total of 50 patients. After one year of intraarterial chemotherapy normal arterial liver perfusion was found in only two patients. Histology revealed thrombotic occlusion or narrowing of hepatic arteries, respectively.     

选择性动脉化疗药物灌注及栓塞治疗结肠直肠癌肝转移

目的：探讨选择性动脉２化疗药物灌注及栓塞治疗结直肠癌肝转移的价值。材料与方法：对２７例失去手术机会的结直肠癌肝转移患者,采用经股动脉穿刺,选择性肝动脉插管灌注化疗药物（ＡＤＭ,ＣＢＰ,ＦＵＤＲ）,并用ＡＤＭ及磺化油乳化后栓塞肝动脉。结果：在第１疗程结束后,１９例患者肝内肿瘤有缩小,２５例ＣＥＡ降低,２３例上腹疼痛减轻或消失。１、２、３年生存率辊７０．４％、５１．９％、２２．２％。结论：经肝动脉化疗     

选择性肝动脉化疗药物灌注及栓塞治疗肝转移癌

目的 探讨选择性肝动脉化疗药物灌注及栓塞治疗肝转移癌的价值。材料与方法对122例失去手术机会的肝转移癌患者，采用经股动脉穿刺，选择性肝动脉插管灌注化疗药物(ADM，MMC，CDDP，5-FU)，并用ADM及碘化油乳化后检塞肝动脉。结果近期疗效以CT检查结果作为评价标准，总有效率为54％(66／122)，平均生存期22．2个月。0．5、1、2、3年生存率分别是98．3％、80．4％、40．9％、10．6％。结论经肝动脉化疗药物灌注及栓塞治疗是失去手术机会的肝转移癌患者的一种安全、有效的姑息性治疗方法，其不仅能提高疗效，而且能改善患者的生活质量。     

分期手术联合射频消融和化疗栓塞治疗结肠癌肝转移12例

目的探讨分期手术联合射频消融、肝动脉化疗栓塞治疗结肠癌术后双叶肝转移的临床价值。方法 2004年12月—2007年12月我科选择性接收并采取分期手术治疗结肠癌术后双叶肝转移患者12例。Ⅰ期手术,结扎横断大多数结肠癌转移灶隶属肝叶的门静脉Ⅰ级分枝(左:右=1:11),射频消融残余肝叶内转移灶,并经胃十二指肠动脉植入肝动脉化疗泵;术后通过化疗泵行3个疗程化疗栓塞。Ⅱ期手术,全部化疗疗程结束后4周行半肝切除术。随访30月,记录术后并发症、化疗客观疗效和毒副作用、残余肝和肝外发现转移瘤时间以及实际生存时间。结果围术期内患者无死亡和肝功能衰竭,呼吸道感染/尿道感染/切口感染(2/2/2,例)是主要的术后早期并发症。患者化疗后无CR,PR 83.3%(10/12),主要不良反应为白细胞减少/血小板减少/贫血(6/3/3,例次)。2例患者术后10月残余肝内发现转移灶(超声引导下射频消融),4例患者术后17月发现肝外转移(肺2例,骨2例;立体定向R-刀治疗)。1、2年总体实际生存率分别为100%和75%,中位生存期26个月。结论分期手术联合射频消融、肝动脉化疗栓塞治疗部分结肠癌术后双叶肝转移患者近期疗效满意,不良反应可耐受,且能增加患者肝转移癌切除率、提高生活质量和生存期,是治疗结肠癌术后双叶肝转移的较好模式之一。     

Evaluation of Intrahepatic Perfusion on Fusion Imaging Using a Combined CT/SPECT System: Influence of Anatomic Variations on Hemodynamic Modification Before Installation of Implantable Port Systems for Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: In some patients with hepatic tumors, anatomic variations in the hepatic arteries may require hemodynamic modification to render effective hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy delivered via implantable port systems. We used a combined CT/SPECT system to obtain fused images of the intrahepatic perfusion patterns in patients with such anatomic variations and assessed their effects on the treatment response of hepatic tumors. METHODS: Using a combined SPECT/CT system, we obtained fused images in 110 patients with malignant liver tumors (n = 75) or liver metastasis from unresectable pancreatic cancer (n = 35). Patients with anatomic hepatic arteries variations underwent hemodynamic modification before the placement of implantable port systems for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. We evaluated their intrahepatic perfusion patterns and the initial treatment response of their liver tumors. The perfusion patterns on the fused images were classified as homogeneous, local hypoperfusion, and/or perfusion defect. Using the WHO criteria of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), no change (NC), and progressive disease (PD), we evaluated the patients' tumor responses after 3 months on multislice helical CT scans. The treatment was regarded as effective in patients who achieved a complete response or partial response. RESULTS: Anatomic hepatic artery variations were present in 15 of the 110 patients (13.6%); 5 manifested replacement of the left hepatic artery (LHA), 8 of the right hepatic artery (RHA), and 1 each had replacement of the RHA and LHA, and replacement of the LHA plus an accessory RHA. In 13 of these 15 patients (87%), occlusion with metallic coils was successful. On fusion imaging, the perfusion patterns were recorded as homogeneous in 6 patients (43%), as hypoperfusion in 7 (50%), and 1 patient had a perfusion defect (7.1%) in the embolized arterial region. Of the 8 patients with RHA replacement, 4 manifested a homogeneous distribution and 3 hypoperfusion. In 2 of 5 patients with LHA replacement, the distribution was homogeneous. In 1 patient with RHA and LHA replacement, and in 1 patient with LHA replacement and an accessory RHA, we noted hypoperfusion in the RHA territory. All 6 patients with homogeneous distribution were classified as PR or NC on follow-up multidetector CT. Of the 7 patients manifesting hypoperfusion, 3 were classified as PD (43%), 3 as NC (43%), and 1 as PR (14%) on follow-up CT. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic modification of anatomic hepatic artery variations resulted in hypoperfusion on fusion images. Differences in the intrahepatic perfusion patterns may affect the response to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.     

肺癌并肝转移的联合介入治疗(附15例报告)

目的：探讨联合介入治疗肺癌并肝转移的临床效果。方法：对15例晚期肺癌并肝转移的患者，采用经股动脉穿刺插管选择性经支气管动脉和肝动脉进行化疗和／或栓塞术。结果：肺原发灶有效率73．3％(11／15)，肝转移灶有效率80．0％(12／15)、肺原发灶合并肝转移灶有效率66．7%(10/15)。半年和1年生存率分别为80％和60％。结论：经支气管动脉和肝动脉联合介入治疗肺癌并肝转移是一种安全、有效的姑息性治疗方法。     

Hepatic perfusion during hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy: evaluation with perfusion CT and perfusion scintigraphy

The standard method for the evaluation of hepatic perfusion during hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy is planar hepatic artery perfusion scintigraphy (HAPS). Planar HAPS was performed with 2 mCi of [99mTc] macroaggregated albumin infused at 1 ml/min and compared with single photon emission CT (SPECT) HAPS and with a new study, CT performed during the slow injection of contrast material through the HAI catheter (HAI-CT). Thirteen patients underwent 16 HAI-CT studies, 14 planar HAPS studies, and 9 SPECT HAPS studies. In 13 of 14 studies (93%) HAI-CT and planar HAPS were in complete agreement as to the perfusion pattern of intrahepatic metastases and normal liver. In nine studies where all modalities were performed, the findings identified by HAI-CT and planar HAPS agreed in all cases, whereas the results of two SPECT scans disagreed with the other studies. With respect to perfusion of individual metastases, 14 of 14 HAI-CT studies, 12 of 13 planar HAPS studies, and 9 of 9 SPECT HAPS studies correctly demonstrated the perfusion status of individual lesions as indicated by the pattern of changes in tumor size determined on CT obtained before and after the perfusion studies. Hepatic artery infusion CT was superior for delineation of individual metastases, particularly small lesions, and for the evaluation of nonperfused portions of the liver. Planar HAPS detected extrahepatic perfusion in four patients, and this was not detected by HAI-CT. We conclude that HAI-CT and scintigraphy are complementary techniques. Hepatic artery infusion CT has advantages for the evaluation of intrahepatic perfusion, and planar HAPS is superior to HAI-CT for the detection of extrahepatic perfusion.     

Using slow-infusion MR arteriography and an implantable port system to assess drug distribution at hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess perfusion patterns seen on slow-infusion MR arteriography using the hepatic arterial infusion system compared with those seen on CT arteriography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 37 patients with liver metastases who had implantable port systems for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, slow-infusion MR arteriography using an infusion rate of 10 mL/hr through an implantable port and CT arteriography using an injection rate of 0.7 mL/sec were performed. In 15 of 37 patients, we evaluated enhancement patterns of tumors of the liver and visceral organs using slow-infusion MR arteriography. In all 37 patients, we compared slow-infusion MR arteriography with CT arteriography concerning intra- and extrahepatic perfusion patterns. RESULTS: On slow-infusion MR arteriography performed 10-20 min after initiation of infusion, tumors of the liver revealed significant enhancement with only a slight effect of systemic enhancement. In seven (19%) of 37 patients, intrahepatic distributions on slow-infusion MR arteriography differed from those on CT arteriography. In eight patients, the patterns of extrahepatic perfusion into the duodenum and the pancreas head differed on slow-infusion MR arteriography from those seen on CT arteriography. In addition, strong artifact caused by platinum coils in the gastroduodenal artery interfered with the evaluation of perfusion in the area around the coils on CT arteriography, whereas no imaging artifact was seen on slow-infusion MR arteriography. CONCLUSION: We believe that slow-infusion MR arteriography reflects the actual distribution of infused drugs more accurately than CT arteriography. When clinical complications occur during treatment, slow-infusion MR arteriography should be used to assess perfusion abnormalities.     

Clinical usefulness of reservoir system with a coaxial catheter

We have developed a new implantable catheter and port system (reservoir) with a 2.9 Fr coaxial catheter. This study was undertaken to evaluate the initial results of the new reservoir system. Fifty-three patients with liver neoplasms underwent implantation of this reservoir owing to tortuousity, angulation, and stenosis of the hepatic arteries, and received repeated arterial infusion chemotherapy. Implantation was technically successful in all patients. Hepatic arterial occlusion occurred at rates of 13.7% at six months and 35.3% at one year. There were no major complications apart from port infection in two patients. This reservoir with a 2.9 Fr catheter expands the indications of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.     

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Using Fluorouracil Followed by Systemic Therapy Using Oxaliplatin Plus Fluorouracil and Leucovorin for Patients with Unresectable Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

The purpose of this study was to assess retrospectively the sequential treatment of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy followed by systemic therapy using oxaliplatin plus 5-flourouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin, namely, FOLFOX, for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer. We reviewed 20 patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Patients were initially treated with HAI chemotherapy until disease progression (5-fluorouracil, 1000 mg/m² intra-arterial infusion, weekly) and then with FOLFOX thereafter (FOLFOX4, n = 13; modified FOLFOX6, n = 7). Adverse events, tumor response, and time to progression for each therapy were evaluated retrospectively, and overall survival was estimated. Toxicity of HAI chemotherapy was generally mild. Of 20 patients, adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in only 1 patient (5%) during initial therapy using HAI chemotherapy, while 9 patients (45%) exhibited adverse events during subsequent FOLFOX therapy. For HAI chemotherapy and FOLFOX, objective response rates were 85.0% and 35.0%, respectively, and median time to progression was 11.6 and 5.1 months, respectively. Median overall survival was 30.1 months. In conclusion, the sequence of HAI chemotherapy followed by FOLFOX is a promising treatment strategy for the long-term use of active chemotherapeutic agents, leading to a superior tumor response and fewer toxic effects in patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.     

肝动脉内持续灌注治疗结直肠癌术后肝转移瘤

目的：探讨5－氟尿嘧啶（5－Fu)／甲酰四氢叶酸钙（CF）经肝动脉持续性灌注治疗结直肠癌肝转移的临床疗效。方法：62例无外科手术指征的结直肠癌肝转移患者，其原发病灶均已作根除术，依据肝动脉内化疗方式不同分为2组：A组32例，采取经皮肝动脉内植入药盒，术后经药盒每个月连续5d持续灌注5－Fu／CF及地塞米松；B组30例，采取每个月1次肝动脉插管大剂量灌注5－Fu/CF。结果：A，B组有效率（完全缓解＋部分缓解）分别为50．0％和23．3％（P＜0．05）。A组1年，2年生率分别为65．6%，39．3％，B组分别为36．7％，11．5％（P＜0．05）。A组1年，2年生存率分别为65．6％，39．3％，B组分别为36．7％，11．5％（P＜0．05）。A组生存质量明显改善，肝，胆，胃十二指肠毒性均较B组低。结论：经药盒肝动脉持续性灌注5－Fu/CF并配合地塞米松治疗结直肠癌肝转移可明显改善患者生存质量，提高生存率。     

Single photon emission computed tomographic studies (SPECT) of hepatic arterial perfusion scintigraphy (HAPS) in patients with colorectal liver metastases: improved tumour targetting by microspheres with angiotensin II

As intra-arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases of colorectal origin becomes accepted, methods of further improving drug delivery to the tumour have been devised. Degradable microspheres have been shown to reduce regional blood flow by transient arteriolar capillary block, thereby improving uptake of a co-administered drug, when injected into the hepatic artery. In our study of five patients, we combined hepatic arterial perfusion scintigraphy (HAPS) and SPECT to assess the localization of approximately 1 X 10(5) labelled microspheres of human serum albumin (99Tcm MSA) in tumour. In addition, in three patients, we assessed the effect of an intra-arterial infusion of the vasoactive agent angiotension II during HAPS. Results were interpreted by comparing transaxial slices with corresponding slices of a tin colloid liver-spleen scan. Two of five patients showed good localization of 99Tcm MSA in tumour without an angiotensin II infusion. Of the three patients receiving angiotensin II, all showed good tumour targetting with the vasoconstrictor compared with only one of these three before its use. Thus, hepatic arterial infusion of angiotensin II greatly improves microsphere localization in tumour in some patients with colorectal liver metastases. This technique may be useful in the assessment of tumour targetting before and during locoregional therapy.     

结直肠癌肝转移综合介入治疗的临床应用

目的:探讨介入治疗结直肠癌肝转移(colorectal liver metastases,CLM)的临床疗效。方法:将77例无法手术切除或切除不完全的CLM分为2组,治疗组39例先行TACE,1周后在CT引导下行瘤体内注射无水乙醇,然后注入超液化碘油与丝裂霉素+阿霉素混合乳剂适量。对照组38例仅行TACE。结果:治疗组CR 4例(10.2%),PR 34例(87.2%),有效率(CR+PR)97.4%,中位生存期为42个月,1年、3年、5年生存率分别为91.7%、45.8%、31.3%。对照组CR 1例(2.6%),PR28例(73.7%),有效率(CR+PR)76.3%,中位生存期为23个月,1年、3年、5年生存率分别为71.0%、22.6%、9.6%。治疗组明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。无严重并发症发生。结论:介入治疗是不能根治性切除的肝转移瘤患者的有效治疗方法,综合性介入治疗的有效率和生存率明显优于单纯肝动脉化疗栓塞。     

Local thrombolytic therapy for hepatic artery thrombosis following chemotherapy infusion catheter placement

Nine patients with hepatic artery thrombosis subsequent to catheter placement (four surgical and five percutaneous) for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy were treated with local thrombolytic therapy. The thromboses were located in the common hepatic, proper hepatic and hepatic arteries. Thrombolytic therapy was instituted within seven days of catheter placement, at a rate of 5,000 to 20,000 units/hour (streptokinase) or 5,000 to 15,000 units/hour (urokinase) for 15 to 64 hours. All patients had repeat angiography and 99mTc-MAA hepatic artery perfusion scintigraphy after the infusion. In eight of the patients, thrombolytic therapy resulted in dissolution of the thrombus and recanalization of the hepatic artery. In three of these patients, rethrombosis occurred within a few days, and was attributed to underlying arterial abnormalities. The other five had documented continued hepatic arterial patency allowing completion of the chemotherapy course. The patient who did not respond to the lytic therapy had developed extensive collateral flow through the gastroduodenal artery to the liver.     

Radiologic placement of side-hole catheter with tip fixation for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

PURPOSE: To investigate the technical outcome of radiologic catheter placement with use of a side-hole catheter with distal fixation for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1993 and September 1999, 426 patients were referred to our department to undergo intraarterial infusion chemotherapy for unresectable malignant liver tumors. A subclavian artery was exposed under local anesthesia and a catheter was inserted. After inserting the tip of the side-hole catheter into the gastroduodenal artery, splenic artery, or peripheral branch of the hepatic artery, the catheter tip was fixed to the vessel with use of coils and a mixture of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and iodized oil. The proximal end of the catheter was connected to an implanted port, and the port system was embedded subcutaneously. RESULTS: Placement was successful in 425 of 426 patients (99.8%) in a mean time of 76 minutes. Catheter dislodgement was noted in 12 patients (2.8%). Cumulative patency rates of the hepatic artery calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method for the entire group were 91.0%, 81.4%, and 58.1% at 6 months and 1 and 2 years, respectively. Complications related to catheter placement were observed in nine cases and included dysfunction of the implanted system (n = 3), significant bleeding around the implanted port (n = 2), improper infusion of NBCA and iodized oil (n = 2), and cerebral infarction (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Radiologic catheter placement via a subclavian artery with side-hole catheter placement with distal fixation for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy is a highly successful procedure with a reduced risk of catheter dislodgment and arterial occlusion.     

Clinical utility of coaxial reservoir system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

PURPOSE: To test the feasibility and clinical utility of a reservoir with coaxial catheters (a 2.9-F microcatheter and a 5-F catheter) and a port (ie, coaxial reservoir) that was developed to perform repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with unresectable liver neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The coaxial reservoir was implanted in 64 patients with unresectable liver neoplasms as a result of difficulty in implanting a conventional reservoir with a 5-F catheter. The 2.9-F microcatheter tip was inserted into the gastroduodenal artery (n = 22), pancreaticoduodenal arcade (n = 20), or peripheral hepatic artery (n = 22) through the 5-F catheter, and a side hole created in the leading end of the microcatheter was oriented toward the proper hepatic artery. Technical success was defined by implantation of the coaxial reservoir and initiation of HAIC. The study endpoint was interruption of HAIC or death. Technical success and early and delayed complications were recorded. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. HAIC was repeated every 1-4 weeks during the mean follow-up period of 14.1 months. Arterial infusion chemotherapy was interrupted in 17 patients (27%) as a result of hepatic arterial occlusion (16%, n = 10), catheter dislocation (3%, n = 2), catheter occlusion (3%, n = 2), wound infection (3%, n = 2), or breakage of the port (2%, n = 1). Patency rates of the hepatic artery were 96%, 82%, and 50% at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after reservoir implantation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Implantation of the coaxial reservoir is feasible, safe, and useful in expanding the indication of HAIC to patients with unresectable liver neoplasms.     

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with use of an implanted port system in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: prognostic factors

PURPOSE: This study was retrospectively undertaken to identify prognostic factors in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with a percutaneously implantable port system inserted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients underwent arterial infusion chemotherapy for portal venous invasion (n = 39), severe liver dysfunction (n = 6), or tumor regrowth after chemoembolization, percutaneous ethanol injection therapy, and surgery (n = 77). Twenty-five variables representing patients' characteristics, previous treatments, tumor characteristics, liver profiles, various staging systems, and therapeutic effect were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 55% and 24%, respectively, with a mean survival period of 19.5 months +/- 1.9 in all patients. Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score, Okuda stage, therapeutic effect, tumor extension, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, ascites, and portal venous invasion were identified as significant prognostic factors by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis identified CLIP score, Okuda stage, and therapeutic effect as significant independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Although our results should be confirmed in future prospective studies, the prognostic factors identified in the present study should prove helpful in classifying patients with advanced HCC who are treated by arterial infusion chemotherapy and should serve as useful guidelines on arterial infusion chemotherapy in clinical practice.     

Gastric toxicity related to perfusion of the stomach via the left inferior phrenic artery during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy: report of two cases

We present two cases of gastric toxicity related to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for liver metastases. The gastric toxicity was caused by the inflow of infused drugs into the stomach via the left inferior phrenic artery arising from the celiac arterial trunk. The catheter hole was placed in the celiac arterial trunk with occlusion of the splenic and many gastric arteries. It must be kept in mind that perfusion of the stomach may occur through the left inferior phrenic artery in HAIC.     

Hepatic arterial chemotherapy: role of angiography

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy increases the hepatic concentration of chemotherapeutic agents without increasing systemic toxicity. Both percutaneous (most commonly left transbrachial) and surgical approaches are currently used for infusion catheter placement. Surgical catheter and pump placement has proved to be a reliable means of delivering drugs to the liver and has been commonly used for hepatic arterial chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Meticulous angiographic evaluation of the hepatic vascular anatomy, its variations, and hemodynamics is necessary for correct catheter placement to achieve total liver perfusion without significant extrahepatic perfusion. Satisfactory hepatic perfusion should be documented before drug infusion. Hepatic arterial radionuclide flow imaging with technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated serum albumin remains the most reliable means of assessing hepatic perfusion following catheter placement. Transcatheter techniques have been used to facilitate catheter placement, to prevent gastrointestinal drug toxicity, and to correct unsatisfactory perfusion following surgical catheter placement.     

Hepatic perfusion before and after the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure: impact on survival

PURPOSE: This study correlates transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) mortality with flow patterns in the cirrhotic liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven TIPS patients and 10 control subjects were used for this study. The authors evaluated hepatic perfusion with venous injections of Tc-99m pertechnetate before and after TIPS. Hepatic time-activity curves were analyzed for type and amount of liver perfusion. These parameters were correlated with survival for a mean follow-up of 18 months. RESULTS: The mean arterial contribution to liver blood flow was 25.4% in the normal control patients, 39.9% in patients prior to TIPS, and increased to 48.3% after TIPS. Although the proportion of arterial supply to the cirrhotic liver varied widely, TIPS mortality did not correlate with the preprocedure hepatic artery/portal venous perfusion ratio. However, patients with both an "arterialized" flow pattern and low total hepatic perfusion had higher mortality, with a mean survival of 2 months compared to patients with a more favorable perfusion profile (mean survival, 28.4 months). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of arterial perfusion to the liver before TIPS did not affect survival. However, patients with a combination of reduced total hepatic perfusion and an arterial flow pattern had poorer survival, suggesting that both the quantity and quality of hepatic perfusion predicts TIPS outcome.