Emergent Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt as a First-Line Therapy in Patients with Cirrhosis with Acute Gastroesophageal Variceal Hemorrhage

PurposeTo investigate the safety and effectiveness of emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as first-line therapy in patients with advanced cirrhosis with acute variceal hemorrhage.Materials and MethodsFrom July 2016 to June 2019, 76 patients with advanced cirrhosis and acute variceal hemorrhage were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent emergent TIPS as first-line therapy within 24 hours. Gastroesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis were diagnosed with contrast-enhanced computed tomography because emergent endoscopy has not been routinely performed in this center. The primary outcomes were the control rate of bleeding and the rate of rebleeding. Secondary outcomes were the technical success rate of procedure, transplantation-free survival, the mean hospitalization time, the time of stay in the intensive care unit, and adverse events.ResultsAll patients underwent TIPS creation successfully and were transferred to general wards. The median follow-up time was 21.7 months (interquartile range, 12.6–28.1 months). The control rate of bleeding (≤5 days) was 100%. The rates of early (>5 days to 6 weeks) and late (>6 weeks to 2 years) rebleeding were 6.6% and 1.3%, respectively. The 6-week, 1-year, and 2-year transplantation-free survival rates were 94.7%, 93.4%, and 84.6%, respectively. The incidences of acute liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy, and shunt dysfunction were 5.3%, 25%, and 5.3%, respectively.ConclusionsEmergent TIPS as a first-line therapy in patients with advanced cirrhosis with acute variceal hemorrhage is safe and effective. This study provides an alternative approach for medical centers without emergent endoscopy facility to manage the condition.     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts Reduce Variceal Bleeding and Improve Survival in Patients with Cirrhosis: A Population-Based Analysis

PurposeTo investigate from a population health perspective the effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation on recurrent variceal bleeding and survival in patients with cirrhosis.Materials and MethodsPatients with cirrhosis who presented to outpatient and acute-care hospitals in California (2005–2011) and Florida (2005–2014) with variceal bleeding comprised the study cohort. Patients entered the study cohort at their first presentation for variceal bleeding; all subsequent hospital encounters were then evaluated to determine subsequent interventions, complications, and mortality data.ResultsA total of 655,577 patients with cirrhosis were identified, of whom 42,708 (6.5%) had at least 1 episode of variceal bleeding and comprised the study cohort. The median follow-up time was 2.61 years. A TIPS was created in 4,201 (9.8%) of these patients. There were significantly greater incidences of coagulopathy (83.9% vs 72.8%; P < .001), diabetes (45.5% vs 38.8%; P < .001), and hepatorenal syndrome (15.3% vs 12.5%; P < .001) in TIPS recipients vs those without a TIPS. Following propensity-score matching, TIPS recipients were found to have improved overall survival (82% vs 77% at 12 mo; P < .001) and a lower rate of recurrent variceal bleeding (88% vs 83% recurrent bleeding–free survival at 12 months,; P < .001) than patients without a TIPS. Patients with a TIPS had a significant increase in encounters for hepatic encephalopathy vs those without (1.01 vs 0.49 per year; P < .001).ConclusionsTIPS improves recurrent variceal bleeding rates and survival in patients with cirrhosis complicated by variceal bleeding. However, TIPS creation is also associated with a significant increase in hepatic encephalopathy.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the treatment of portal hypertension using memotherm stents: a prospective multicenter study

Purpose: In a prospective multicenter study, efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) were evaluated in the treatment of the complications of portal hypertension using a new self-expanding mesh-wire stent (Memotherm). Methods: One hundred and eighty-one patients suffering from variceal bleeding (either acute or recurrent) or refractory ascites were enrolled. Postinterventional follow-up lasted for 8.4 months on average. Differences were analyzed by the log-rank test (chi-square) or Wilcoxon test. Results: Shunt insertion was completed successfully in all patients (n = 181 patients, 100%). During follow-up, shunt occlusion was evident in 23 patients, and shunt stenosis was found in 33 patients (12.7% and 18.2%, respectively). Variceal rebleeding occurred in 20 of 139 patients (14.4%), with at least one episode of bleeding before TIPS treatment. The overall mortality rate of the patients treated by TIPS was 39.8%. In 51.4% of these cases (37 of 72 patients), however, the patients died within 30 days after TIPS placement. Analysis of subgroups showed that patients who underwent emergency TIPS for acute variceal bleeding had a significantly higher early mortality compared with other patient groups (p = 0.0014). Conclusion: In the present prospective multicenter study, we were able to show that insertion of Memotherm stents is an effective tool for TIPS. The occlusion rates seem to be comparable to those reported for the Palmaz stent. It could be shown that in particular, those patients who were treated for acute bleeding were at high risk of early mortality. Consequently, in such a critical condition, the indication for TIPS has to be set carefully.     

Ethnoracial Disparity in Hospital Survival following Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Acute Variceal Bleeding in the United States

PurposeTo investigate the magnitude of racial/ethnic differences in hospital mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for acute variceal bleeding and whether hospital care processes contribute to them.MethodsPatients aged ≥18 years undergoing TIPS creation for acute variceal bleeding in the United States (n = 10,331) were identified from 10 years (2007–2016) available in the National Inpatient Sample. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between patient race and inpatient mortality, controlling for disease severity, treatment utilization, and hospital characteristics.ResultsA total of 6,350 (62%) patients were White, 1,780 (17%) were Hispanic, and 482 (5%) were Black. A greater proportion of Black patients were admitted to urban teaching hospitals (Black, n = 409 (85%); Hispanic, n = 1,310 (74%); and White, n = 4,802 (76%); P < .001) and liver transplant centers (Black, n = 215 (45%); Hispanic, n = 401 (23%); and White, n = 2,267 (36%); P < .001). Being Black was strongly associated with mortality (Black, 32% vs non-Black, 15%; odds ratio, 3.0 [95% confidence interval, 1.6–5.8]; P = .001), as assessed using the risk-adjusted regression model. This racial disparity disappeared in a sensitivity analysis including only patients with a maximum Child-Pugh score of 13 (odds ratio 1.2 [95% confidence interval, 0.4–3.6]; P = .68), performed to compensate for the absence of Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores. Ethnoracial differences in access to teaching hospitals, liver transplant centers, first-line endoscopy, and transfusion did not significantly contribute (P > .05) to risk-adjusted mortality.ConclusionsBlack patients have a 2-fold higher inpatient mortality than non-Black patients following TIPS creation for acute variceal bleeding, possibly related to greater disease severity before the procedure.     

Emergency transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): results, complications and predictors of mortality in the first month of follow-up

Purpose

We conducted a single-centre retrospective analysis of the results and predictors of early mortality in emergency transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

Materials and methods

Between 1992 and 2009, 82 patients with refractory variceal bleeding underwent emergency TIPS at our Institution. The success and complications of the procedure were assessed for each patient. Child class, platelet count, prothrombin time, serum creatinine levels and venous pressure before and after TIPS were studied statistically as possible prognostic factors of early mortality.

Results

The technical, haemodynamic, and clinical success rates were 91.6%, 78% and 86.6%, respectively. Complications occurred in 21 cases (25.6%): eight were major (two stent migrations, one pulmonary embolism, one haemoperitoneum, one haemobilia, three intrahepatic haematomas) and 13 were minor (encephalopathy responsive to medical therapy). Twenty-one patients (25.6%) died due to the following causes: disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (n=2), haemorrhage (n=8), cardiopulmonary failure (n=2) and liver failure (n=9). The predictors of mortality were Child??s class C, high serum creatinine and prolonged prothrombin time.

Conclusions

The technical success of TIPS may not lead to haemodynamic and clinical success. Complications are often due to impaired coagulation and inadequacy of the stent-graft. Early mortality is only influenced by pre-existing clinical and laboratory factors.     

High-risk third trimester pregnancy with decompensated cirrhosis safely delivered following emergent preoperative interventional radiology for mitigation of variceal bleeding

Coagulopathy coupled with severe portal hypertension in the setting of cirrhosis increases the risk of mortality from variceal bleeding in pregnant women. Studies suggest transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation to be a safe procedure during pregnancy in preventing variceal bleeding complications; however, it is not typically employed in severely decompensated cirrhosis. This case report of a pregnant woman presenting at 34.7 weeks' gestation demonstrates successful variceal mapping, emergent TIPS creation and variceal embolization to allow safe cesarean delivery despite severe hypofibrinogenemia and decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis. With careful medical optimization, angiographic imaging and vascular interventional radiology may be employed outside of usual indications to achieve safe pregnancy delivery and postpartum recovery.     

Correlation between portal/hepatic vein gradient and response to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation in refractory ascites

PURPOSE: Transjugular portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation is widely used in the treatment of patients with refractory ascites caused by portal hypertension. Although it is well-established that an optimal portosystemic gradient (PSG) to prevent recurrent variceal bleeding should be lower than 12 mm Hg, there are no clear data on the correlation between the post-TIPS portal/hepatic vein gradient (PHG) and control of ascites. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there was any correlation between PHG and control of ascites after TIPS creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Portal/hepatic vein gradients before and after TIPS creation were studied in 28 patients who underwent TIPS creation. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine whether the portal/hepatic vein gradient independently predicted response to TIPS. Patients were considered responders if ascites disappeared or there was no further need for paracentesis. Patients were considered nonresponders if they required repeat paracentesis one or more months after TIPS creation. RESULTS: Among patients who experienced a response, the mean pre-TIPS PHG was significantly higher than that in those who did not respond (20.9 mm Hg +/- 5.1 vs 15 mm Hg +/- 3.4; P = .002). A higher pre-TIPS PHG was predictive of better response independent of severity of liver disease and serum creatinine level (odds ratio, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.23-4.9; P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: If the findings established in this study are confirmed in prospective long-term studies, a pre-TIPS PHG measurement can be a useful tool in helping clinicians assess the potential benefit of TIPS in refractory ascites.     

Emergent Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Acute Gastric Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A total of 42 cirrhotic patients (mean age, 51.7 years ± 10.8; 38 men) with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for controlling acute gastric variceal bleeding (GVB) were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Of these, 37 (88.1%) patients underwent emergent TIPS creation as the first-line treatment to control acute GVB. Five (11.9%) patients underwent emergent TIPS creation as a rescue/salvage treatment to control acute GVB after emergent endoscopic therapy and pharmacotherapy. Emergent TIPS creation was technically successful in 40 (95.2%) patients. Two (4.8%) patients had severe and moderate procedural adverse events. The median follow-up duration was 16.9 months (range, 0.1–100.8 months). Failure to control acute bleeding and failure to prevent rebleeding occurred in 8 (19.0%) patients during follow-up. Eighteen (42.9%) patients died during follow-up. Three (7.1%) patients had shunt dysfunction during follow-up. Overt hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 6 (14.3%) patients during follow-up.     

Direct Percutaneous Embolization of Bleeding Stomal Varices

Stomal variceal bleeding can develop in patients with underlying cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Most patients are best treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation because this addresses the underlying problem of portal hypertension. However, some patients are not good candidates for TIPS creation because they have end-stage liver disease or encephalopathy. We describe such a patient who presented with recurrent bleeding stomal varices, which was successfully treated with percutaneous coil embolization. The patient had bleeding-free survival for 1 month before death from unrelated causes.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in hemodialysis-dependent patients and patients with advanced renal insufficiency: safety, caution, and encephalopathy

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine the acute safety and chronic outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation in patients with hemodialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease for control of bleeding and refractory ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four dialysis-dependent patients and one renal transplant recipient (glomerular filtration rate, 27 mL/min) underwent TIPS creation for treatment of refractory ascites (n = 3) and recurrent portal hypertensive bleeding (n = 1). A sixth patient developed unrelated renal failure 3 years after initial TIPS formation and presented with encephalopathy at that time. All had nearly normal liver function test results and no previous baseline encephalopathy. Three dialysis recipients underwent dialysis immediately after the TIPS procedure in an intensive care unit; one did not. RESULTS: There were no complications of fluid overload or pulmonary edema after TIPS creation in the patients who immediately underwent dialysis. The one patient in whom dialysis was delayed developed respiratory failure and shock liver (ie, ischemic hepatitis). Ascites resolved in all three patients, and no recurrent variceal bleeding occurred during a mean follow-up of 17 months. Severe, grade 2-4 hepatic encephalopathy developed in all patients; in one patient, its onset was delayed until the onset of renal failure 3 years after the original TIPS procedure. Shunt reduction was required in four cases and competitive variceal embolization was required in one to reduce portosystemic diversion. No less than grade 1 episodic baseline encephalopathy was present in all patients despite continued use of the maximum prescribed medical therapy thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS creation is effective in controlling ascites and bleeding in functionally anephric patients, but at the cost of marked and disproportionate hepatic encephalopathy. Prompt, acute postprocedural dialysis and fluid management is critical for safe creation of a TIPS in dialysis-dependent patients.     

TIPS for treatment of variceal hemorrhage: clinical outcomes in 128 patients at a single institution over a 12-year period

PurposeTo assess clinical outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) treatment of variceal hemorrhage.Materials and MethodsA total of 128 patients (82 men and 46 women; mean age, 52 y) with liver cirrhosis and refractory variceal hemorrhage underwent TIPS creation from 1998 to 2010. Mean Child-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were 9 and 18, respectively. From 1998 to 2004, 12-mm Wallstents (n = 58) were used, whereas from 2004 to 2010, 10-mm VIATORR covered stent-grafts (n = 70) were used. Technical success, hemodynamic success, complications, shunt dysfunction, recurrent bleeding, and overall survival were assessed.ResultsTechnical and hemodynamic success rates were 100% and 94%, respectively. Mean portosystemic gradient reduction was 13 mm Hg. Complications at 30 days included encephalopathy (14%), renal failure (5.5%), infection (1.6%), and liver failure (0.8%). Shunt patency rates were 93%, 82%, and 60% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Dysfunction, or loss of TIPS primary patency, occurred more with Wallstent versus VIATORR TIPSs (29% vs 11%; P = .009). Recurrent bleeding incidences were 9%, 22%, and 29% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively, and were similar between Wallstent and VIATORR TIPSs (19% vs 19%; P = .924). Variceal embolization significantly reduced recurrent bleeding rates (5% vs 25%; P = .013). Overall survival rates were 80%, 69%, and 65% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively, and were similar between Wallstent and VIATORR TIPSs (35% vs 26% mortality rate; P = .312). Advanced MELD score was associated with increased mortality on multivariate analysis.ConclusionsWallstent and VIATORR TIPSs effectively treat variceal hemorrhage, particularly when accompanied by variceal embolization. Although TIPS with a VIATORR device showed improved shunt patency, patient survival is similar to that with Wallstent TIPS. These results further validate TIPS creation for refractory variceal bleeding.     

Evaluation of a model to predict poor survival in patients undergoing elective TIPS procedures

PURPOSE: To validate a previously published model to predict the probability of patient death within 3 months after an elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. The model is implemented with use of a nomogram or a formula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent an elective TIPS procedure between May 1, 1999, and May 1, 2001, were selected. Patients who underwent emergency TIPS creation and patients with serum creatinine levels greater than 3.0 mg/dL were excluded. A total of 72 patients met the inclusion criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (ethanol-induced cirrhosis; n = 23) and group B (non-ethanol-induced cirrhosis; n = 49). The model was applied and the predicted probability of death was compared to actual patient survival. A high risk score (R > or = 1.8) is associated with a high risk of death within 3 months after TIPS creation. Survival curves were estimated with use of Kaplan-Meier product limit estimates and were compared with use of the log-rank test. The model's accuracy was evaluated with use of the c-statistic. P values lower than.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 98.7%. The 3-month survival rate for the whole group was 79.7%. The predicted mortality rate was higher than the observed mortality rate. The c-statistic was 0.65 for the formula and 0.66 for the nomogram. Patients with a risk score of at least 1.8 had a 3-month survival rate of 54.6% and patients with a risk score lower than 1.8 had a 3-month survival rate of 84.9% (P =.037). CONCLUSION: These results confirm that, after an elective TIPS procedure, patients with risk scores of at least 1.8 have a significantly lower 3-month survival rate than patients with risk scores lower than 1.8.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts: long-term patency and clinical results in a patient cohort observed for 3-9 years

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess the outcome of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement in a nonselected group of consecutive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TIPS placement was attempted in 82 patients. Patients were followed up for at least 3 years according to a standard protocol that included repeated shunt evaluations. Fifty-four patients underwent TIPS placement for variceal bleeding, 24 for refractory ascites, and four for other indications. Recurrent bleeding, effect on ascites, long-term patency, development of encephalopathy, and survival and complication rates were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox multivariate analysis. RESULTS: TIPS placement was successful in 75 patients (91%). Mean follow-up lasted 29.4 months. Primary patency was 22% and 12%, primary-assisted patency was 67% and 46%, and secondary patency was 91% and 91% at 1- and 5-year follow-up, respectively. Nonalcoholic liver disease (P =.007) and increasing platelet counts (P =.006) independently predicted development of shunt insufficiency. The 1- and 5-year rates of recurrent variceal bleeding were 21% and 27%, respectively. In the majority of patients with refractory ascites, a beneficial effect of TIPS placement was observed. The risk for encephalopathy was 25% at 1-month follow-up and 52% at 3-year follow-up. The risk for chronic or severe intermittent encephalopathy was 15% at 1-year follow-up and 20% at 3-year follow-up. Serum creatinine levels (P =.001) and age (P =.02) were independent risk factors. Overall survival rate was 61%, 49%, and 42% at 1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up, respectively. Age (P =.03), serum albumin level (P =.02), and serum creatinine level (P <.001) were independently related to mortality. CONCLUSION: The risk for definitive loss of shunt function was 17% at 5-year follow-up, indicating that surveillance with shunt revision-when indicated-results in excellent long-term TIPS patency. TIPS placement effectively protects against recurrent bleeding.     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for the Prevention of Gastric Variceal Rebleeding in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and MethodsThis multicenter retrospective study included 126 cirrhotic patients (mean age, 54.1 ± 10.2 years; 110 men) with HCC who underwent TIPS creation for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding. Of these, 110 (87.3%) patients had gastroesophageal varices and 16 (12.7%) patients had isolated gastric varices. Thirty-five (27.8%) patients had portal vein tumor thrombus.ResultsTIPS creation was technically successful in 124 (98.4%) patients. Rebleeding occurred in 26 (20.6%) patients during the follow-up period. The 6-week and 1-year actuarial probabilities of patients remaining free of rebleeding were 98.3% ± 1.2% and 81.2% ± 3.9%, respectively. Forty-nine (38.8%) patients died during the follow-up period. The 6-week and 1-year actuarial probabilities of survival were 98.4 ± 1.1% and 65.6 ± 4.4%, respectively. Two (1.6%) patients had major procedure-related complications, including acute liver failure (n = 1) and intra-abdominal bleeding (n = 1). Thirty-three (26.2%) patients had at least 1 episode of overt hepatic encephalopathy during the follow-up period. Shunt dysfunction occurred in 15 (11.9%) patients after a median follow-up time of 11.4 months (range, 1.4–41.3 months). Lung metastasis occurred in 3 (2.4%) patients, 3.9–32.9 months after TIPS creation.ConclusionsTIPS creation may be effective and safe for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding in patients with HCC.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients who have undergone liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is an accepted treatment for refractory variceal bleeding and/or ascites in end-stage liver disease and is an effective bridge to liver transplantation. The authors present their experience with TIPS in patients with a liver transplant, who subsequently developed portal hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen TIPS were placed in 12 adult patients from 6 months to 13 years after liver transplantation for variceal bleeding that failed endoscopic treatment (n = 6) and intractable ascites (n = 6). All patients were followed to either time of retransplantation or death. RESULTS: No technical difficulties were encountered in TIPS placement in any of the patients. Four of six patients treated for bleeding stopped bleeding and did not experience re-bleeding, two had functional TIPS at 3 and 36 months and two underwent retransplantation at 3 and 7 months. Two patients had recurrent bleeding within 1 week and required reintervention. In the ascites group, one is 32 months since TIPS placement with control of his ascites, two patients underwent retransplantation at 2 and 6 weeks with interval improvement in ascites. Two patients died within a week of TIPS of fulminant hepatic failure. The last patient died 1 month after TIPS subsequent to a splenectomy. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the placement of a TIPS in a transplanted liver, in general, requires no special technical considerations compared to placement in native livers. Although this series is small, the authors believe that TIPS should be considered a treatment option in liver transplant recipients who present with refractory variceal bleeding. TIPS may have a role in the management of intractable ascites.     

Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血效果评估

目的评价应用Viatorr支架行经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)术治疗门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血的可行性、安全性和临床效果。方法回顾性分析2015年10月至2018年11月收治的42例肝硬化门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血患者临床资料,所有患者符合TIPS治疗指征,均接受Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗。术中检测门静脉压力梯度(PPG)。术后1、3、6、12个月,之后每年随访超声或增强CT检查,评价分流道通畅情况,并通过电子病历、临床或电话随访患者肝功能、凝血4项、再出血、肝性脑病发生和生存时间。配对t检验分析术前、术后PPG、总胆红素、血清白蛋白和凝血酶原时间变化,Kaplan-Meier法分析分流道通畅率和生存率。结果 42例均成功施行TIPS术,技术成功率为100%。共植入直径8 mm Viatorr支架42枚。PPG均值由术前(26.85±6.00) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)降低为(11.62±4.54) mmHg(t=11.359,P<0.05),平均降低(55.63±16.77)%。与术前相比,术后3 d总胆红素浓度升高(P<0.05),血清白蛋白降低(P<0.05),凝血酶原时间延长(P<0.05)。术后1个月总胆红素、血清白蛋白和凝血酶原时间与术前水平差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后中位随访14.5(2~39)个月,再出血发生率为9.5%(4/42),其中1例接受分流道再通;肝性脑病发生率为19.1%(8/42)。术后1、2、3年分流道通畅率分别为91.9%、83.9%、77.4%,生存率分别为94.7%、89.4%、82.0%。肝硬化相关死亡率为9.5%(4/42),均于术后2~30个月死于终末期肝病伴多脏器功能衰竭。结论 Viatorr支架行TIPS术治疗肝硬化门静脉高压性静脉曲张消化道出血具有较高的技术成功率,术后分流道通畅率高,肝性脑病发生率低。     

Prediction of Mortality after Emergent Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement: Use of APACHE II, Child-Pugh and MELD Scores in Asian Patients with Refractory Variceal Hemorrhage

Objective

This study was designed to determine if existing methods of grading liver function that have been developed in non-Asian patients with cirrhosis can be used to predict mortality in Asian patients treated for refractory variceal hemorrhage by the use of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure.

Materials and Methods

Data for 107 consecutive patients who underwent an emergency TIPS procedure were retrospectively analyzed. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II), Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were calculated. Survival analyses were performed to evaluate the ability of the various models to predict 30-day, 60-day and 360-day mortality. The ability of stratified APACHE II, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores to predict survival was assessed by the use of Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test.

Results

No patient died during the TIPS procedure, but 82 patients died during the follow-up period. Thirty patients died within 30 days after the TIPS procedure; 37 patients died within 60 days and 53 patients died within 360 days. Univariate analysis indicated that hepatorenal syndrome, use of inotropic agents and mechanical ventilation were associated with elevated 30-day mortality (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that a Child-Pugh score > 11 or an MELD score > 20 predicted increased risk of death at 30, 60 and 360 days (p < 0.05). APACHE II scores could only predict mortality at 360 days (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

A Child-Pugh score > 11 or an MELD score > 20 are predictive of mortality in Asian patients with refractory variceal hemorrhage treated with the TIPS procedure. An APACHE II score is not predictive of early mortality in this patient population.     

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.     

Predictors of early mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation for the treatment of refractory ascites

PURPOSE: Currently there is no consensus regarding a target portosystemic gradient (PSG) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for the treatment of refractory ascites. The goal of this study was to examine whether the PSG after TIPS creation is predictive of subsequent mortality risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 99 patients who underwent successful TIPS creation for refractory ascites between January 1997 and December 2004 was performed. Follow-up consisted of clinic and emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and radiology studies (mean, 7 months). Comparison of baseline patient characteristics was performed between survivors and patients who died. Survival rates were calculated with use of the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test based on Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores and PSGs before and after TIPS creation. Univariate and multivariate analysis of potential predictors of mortality was performed with Cox proportional-hazards analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen patients died during follow-up (mean, 1.9 months after TIPS creation). The patients who died had significantly higher MELD scores before TIPS creation than did survivors (P = .04) and significantly lower PSGs before and after TIPS creation (P = .02 and P = .03, respectively). Survival rates were significantly lower for patients with higher MELD scores (P = .01) and lower PSGs before TIPS creation (P = .01) and after TIPS creation (P = .01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Child class C cirrhosis, MELD score greater than 25, and PSG less than 8 mm Hg after TIPS creation were the most significant predictors of mortality (increased likelihood by factors of 4, 5, and 3, respectively). CONCLUSION: Excessive reduction of the PSG along with severe liver dysfunction is associated with an increased risk of mortality after TIPS creation in patients presenting with refractory ascites.     

Early and long-term clinical and radiological follow-up results of expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-grafts for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures

The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy and immediate and long-term safety of expanded-tetrafluoroethylene covered stent-grafts for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in patients with portal hypertension-related complications. A cohort of 56 patients suffering from severe portal hypertension-related complications underwent implantation of an expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-graft. All patients suffered from severe liver cirrhosis graded Child-Pugh A (n=8; 16%), B (n=13; 21%) or C (n=35; 63%). In 44 patients, the stent-graft was placed during the initial TIPS procedure (de novo TIPS); in the other 12 patients, the stent-graft was placed to repermeabilize the previously placed bare stent (TIPS revision). Follow-up was performed with clinical assessment, duplex ultrasound and, if abnormal or inconclusive, with invasive venography and pressure measurements. Per- en immediate post-procedural complications occurred in four patients (4/56, 7%). None of them was lethal. During follow-up, stent occlusion appeared in one patient and stenosis in two; no recurrence of bleeding was noted in all patients treated for variceal bleeding (n=28), and 24 of the 28 patients (86%) suffering from refractory ascites and/or hepatic hydrothorax were free of regular paracenteses and/or drainage of pleural effusion after shunt creation. The 30-day and global mortality for the total study population (n=56) was, respectively, 7% (n=4) and 28.5% (n=16). In the patient subgroup with variceal bleeding (n=28), 30-day mortality was 3.5% (n=1) and global mortality 14.2% (n=4). In the ascites and/or hydrothorax subgroup (n=28), 8.1% (n=3) mortality at 30 days was found and global mortality was 32.4% (n=12). In 10 patients of the 56 studied patients (18%), isolated hepatic encephalopathy occurred, which was lethal in 4 (Child C) patients (7%). Three of these four patients died within the 1st month after TIPS placement. A very high primary patency rate of TIPS can be obtained long-term after implantation of an e-PTFE-covered stent-graft, leading to a definitive resolution of portal hypertension-related complications. The incidence of TIPS-induced hepatic encephalopathy is acceptable.