Endovascular Assessment of Liver Hemodynamics in Patients with Cirrhosis Complicated by Portal Hypertension

The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is currently considered the gold standard to assess portal hypertension (PH) in patients with cirrhosis. A meticulous technique is important to achieve accurate and reproducible results, and values obtained during measurement are applied in risk stratification of patients with PH, allocating treatment options, monitoring follow-up, and deciding management options in surgical patients. The use of portosystemic pressure gradients in patients undergoing placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts has been studied extensively and has great influence on decisions on shunt diameter. The purpose of this study was to describe the recommended technique to measure HVPG and portosystemic pressure gradient and to review the existing literature describing the importance of these hemodynamic measurements in clinical practice.     

Portal Vein Recanalization for Noncirrhotic Portal Vein Cavernous Transformation: Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation versus Portal Vein Stent Placement

PurposeTo compare the clinical outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation versus portal vein stent placement (PVS) in patients with noncirrhotic cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV).Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective study, clinical data from patients with noncirrhotic CTPV who underwent TIPS creation or PVS were compared. A total of 54 patients (mean age, 43.8 years ± 15.8; 31 men and 23 women) were included from January 2013 to January 2021; 29 patients underwent TIPS creation, and 25 patients underwent PVS. Stent occlusion, variceal rebleeding, survival, and postprocedural complications were compared between the 2 groups.ResultsThe mean follow-up time was 40.2 months ± 26.2 in the TIPS group and 35.3 months ± 21.1 in the PVS group. The stent occlusion rate in the PVS group (16%, 4 of 25) was significantly lower than that in the TIPS group (41.4%, 12 of 29) during the follow-up (P = .042). The cumulative variceal rebleeding rates in the TIPS group were significantly higher than those in the PVS group (28% vs 4%; P = .027). The procedural success rate was 69% in the TIPS group and 86% in the PVS group (P = .156). There was a higher number of severe adverse events after TIPS than after PVS (0% vs 24%; P = .012).ConclusionsPortal vein recanalization with PVS may be a preferable alternative to TIPS creation in the treatment of noncirrhotic CTPV because of higher stent patency rates, lower risk of variceal rebleeding, and fewer adverse events.     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for Portal Hypertension in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus

Purpose

In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), limited therapeutic options are available for portal hypertension resulted from portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). We aimed to determine safety and efficacy of TIPS for treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension in HCC with PVTT.

Methods

We evaluated clinical characteristics of 95 patients with HCC and PVTT out of 992 patients who underwent TIPS. The primary endpoints included success rate, procedural mortality, serious complications, decrease in portosystemic pressure gradient, and symptom relief. The secondary endpoints included recurrence of portal hypertension, overall survival, adverse events related to treatments for HCC, and quality of life measured by Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS).

Results

Success rate of TIPS was 95.8% (91/95), with procedural mortality of 1.1%. Serious complications related to TIPS procedure occurred in 2.1% (2/95) of patients. The symptoms of portal hypertension were well relieved. Variceal bleeding was successfully controlled and terminated in 100% of patients, with a recurrence rate of 39.2% in 12 months. Refractory ascites/hydrothorax was controlled partially or completely in 92.9% of patients during 1 month after TIPS, with a recurrence rate of 17.9% in 12 months. Survival rate at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months was 75.8, 52.7, 26.4, and 3.3%, respectively. No unexpected adverse event related to treatments for HCC was observed. The KPS score was 49 ± 4.5 and 63 ± 4.7 before and 1 month after TIPS, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

TIPS is a safe and efficacious treatment for symptomatic portal hypertension in HCC with PVTT.

     

Combined Transabdominal and Transjugular Recanalization of Thrombosed TIPS,Portal and Proximal Splenic Veins

We present a case of TIPS occlusion in which a small caliber transhepatic safety or anchoring wire in combination with a standard transjugular approach were utilized to recanalize the TIPS, portal and splenic veins. This technique may be a useful adjunct to the typical methods used for recanalization of thrombosed TIPS, portal and splenic veins without the need of large caliber transhepatic sheath access.     

Recanalization of Chronic Portal Vein Occlusion in Pediatric Liver Transplant Patients

PurposeTo evaluate technical and clinical success and report long-term outcomes of portal vein (PV) recanalization in pediatric orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) patients with chronic PV occlusion.Materials and MethodsThis is a retrospective review of 15 OLT patients (5 males) with chronic PV occlusion who underwent PV recanalization (33 procedures) between October 2011 and February 2018. Median age was 4.5 years (range, 1–16 years); median weight was 16.6 kg (range, 11.5–57.3 kg). Median time interval from OLT to first intervention was 3.25 years (range, 0.6–15.7 years). Clinical presentations included hypersplenism (n = 12), gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 9), and ascites (n = 3). One patient had incidental diagnosis of PV occlusion. Primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months were evaluated.ResultsTechnically successful PV recanalization and reduction of PV pressure gradient to ≤ 5 mm Hg was performed in 13/15 patients (87%). Ten of 15 (67%) patients had successful recanalization with the first attempt. Clinical success, defined as improvement in signs and symptoms of portal hypertension, was achieved in 12/13 (92%) patients. Five of 33 (15%) major complications (Society of Interventional Radiology class C), including perisplenic hematoma (n = 2), hemoperitoneum (n = 2), and hepatic artery pseudo aneurysm (n = 1), were managed with pain medication and blood product replacement. Median follow-up was 22 months (range, 1–77 months). Median primary patency was 5 months. Primary patency at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 53.8%, 46.2%, 38.5%, and 30.8%, respectively. Primary-assisted patency was 84.6%, 76.9%, 53.8%, and 46.2%, respectively. Secondary patency was 92.3%, 84.6%, 53.8%, and 46.2%, respectively.ConclusionsPV recanalization is a safe and effective minimally invasive option in the management of chronic PV occlusion after pediatric OLT.     

Pretransplantation Portal Vein Recanalization and Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Chronic Portal Vein Thrombosis: Final Analysis of a 61-Patient Cohort

Purpose

To report the final analysis of the safety and efficacy of portal vein (PV) recanalization (PVR) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation (PVR-TIPS) in patients with PV thrombosis (PVT) in need of liver transplantation.

肝硬化门脉高压脾功能亢进的部分栓塞治疗

目的：对36例肝硬化门脉高压脾机能亢进（简称脾亢）患者采用部分性脾栓塞术（Partialsplenicembolization，PSE）的治疗效果进行分析，找出确定其疗效的观测指标、栓塞范围和PSE的临床应用价值。材料和方法：术前患者周围血细胞计数三系均低，以白细胞、血小板降低为显著。选择性插入脾动脉靶血管后先造影然后用抗生素液浸泡的明胶海绵颗粒进行栓塞。结果：脾动脉插管技术成功率100％。30例外周血白细胞和血小板计数恢复到正常水平，5例部分缓解，1例无明显变化。术后凝血酶原时间（PT）缩短，凝血酶原活动度（PTA）增加，免疫球蛋白含量增加，食道静脉曲张程度有所下降。所有患者术后均出现栓塞后综合征，主要表现为发热和左上腹疼痛。无严重并发症发生。结论：PSE对脾亢患者是一种安全有效的治疗方法。既可减轻脾亢又保留了脾脏的免疫功能。在一定程度上可减轻门脉高压的症状。PSE栓塞范围在30％～80％之间为宜。白血球和血小板尤其是后者数量和功能改变为PSE后疗效可靠的观测指标。     

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.     

胃左静脉MSCTA预测肝硬化门静脉高压食管胃底静脉曲张破裂岀血的价值

目的探讨胃左静脉多层螺旋CT血管造影(MSCTA)预测肝硬化门静脉高压食管胃底静脉曲张破裂岀血的临床应用价值。资料与方法应用16层螺旋CT对74例肝硬化门静脉高压症患者和200名正常对照者行上腹部增强扫描,采用多平面重组(MPR)、最大密度投影(MIP)对胃左静脉进行血管重组,观察胃左静脉和食管胃底静脉曲张情况,并测量胃左静脉最大内径进行统计学分析。结果总体肝硬化门静脉高压组胃左静脉最大内径与正常对照组比较明显增宽(P=0.00),肝硬化门静脉高压出血组、未出血组胃左静脉最大内径与正常对照组比较均显著增宽,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。以胃左静脉最大内径7.0 mm为判断岀血的标准,其敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为61.5%、77.1%、71.6%。结论 MSCTA可以清晰显示胃左静脉和食管胃底静脉曲张情况;胃左静脉增宽是肝硬化门静脉高压食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血的一个危险因素,胃左静脉内径的测量对食管胃底静脉曲张破裂岀血具有一定的预测价值。     

部分脾栓塞术对肝硬化门脉高压症患者肝,脾血流的影响

应用彩色多普勒血流显像技术观察11例肝硬化门脉高压症患者行部分脾栓塞术(PSE)后,肝脾血流变化的结果。患者脾动脉、脾静脉和门静脉的内径、血流速度和血流量较术前显著缩小和下降(P<0.05～0.001),门静脉血流量减少的程度与脾动脉血流量的变化呈正相关(r=0.8635).彩色多普勒血流显像检查为判断 PSE 的疗效和栓塞剂的合理用量提供了重要的影像学依据.     

经皮经肝和经颈静脉行肝静脉成形术

肝静脉闭塞的再通是布－加综合征介入治疗的难题之一。我们采用经皮肝和经颈静脉穿刺成功地开通７例肝静脉开口处膜性闭塞，其中肝右静脉５例，肝中静脉２例；３例合并下腔静脉闭塞者又给以下腔静脉开通。     

Combined Transmesenteric and Transhepatic Recanalization of Chronic Portal and Mesenteric Vein Occlusion to Treat Bleeding Duodenal Varices

Two patients presented with bleeding duodenal varices secondary to mesenteric and portal vein chronic occlusion. After a failed transhepatic recanalization, a combined transmesenteric and transhepatic approach was used to recanalize the chronic portal and mesenteric venous obstruction. The occluded segment was treated with transmesenteric stent placement in one patient and stent placement and coil embolization of varices in the second patient. Follow-up imaging and endoscopy showed decompression of the duodenal varices in both patients and absence of further bleeding episodes.     

Transcaval Creation of a Portal Vein Target for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in a Patient with Portal Vein Thrombosis

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology -     

Recanalization of an Occluded Infrainguinal Vein Graft Complicated by Graft Aneurysm

The technique of subintimal angioplasty has been described for the recanalisation of native vessels after occlusion of infrainguinal vascular bypass grafts. We report a case in which an attempt at such treatment resulted in inadvertent but successful recanalisation of the occluded vein graft instead. This was complicated by graft perforation and subsequent graft aneurysm which was successfully treated with a covered stent.     

Stent Recanalization of Chronic Portal Vein Occlusion in a Child

An 8-year-old boy with a 21/2 year history of portal hypertension and repeated bleedings from esophageal varices, was referred for treatment. The 3.5-cm-long occlusion of the portal vein was passed and the channel created was stabilized with a balloon-expandable stent; a portosystemic stent-shunt was also created. The portosystemic shunt closed spontaneously within 1 month, while the recanalized segment of the portal vein remained open. The pressure gradient between the intrahepatic and extrahepatic portal vein branches dropped from 17 mmHg to 0 mmHg. The pressure in the portal vein dropped from 30 mmHg to 17 mmHg and the bleedings stopped. The next dilation of the stent was performed 12 months later due to an increased pressure gradient; the gastroesophageal varices disappeared completely. Further dilation of the stent was planned after 2, 4, and 6 years.     

胃冠状静脉栓塞术治疗门脉高压食管胃底静脉曲张出血的疗效分析

目的探讨应用胃冠状静脉栓塞术治疗门静脉高压食管胃底静脉曲张出血的疗效。方法回顾分析1998年7月—2004年2月间,42例门脉高压症患者(栓塞组)行胃冠状静脉栓塞术治疗门静脉高压食管胃底静脉曲张出血的疗效,并与20例同期仅行贲门周围血管离断术(对照组)的疗效进行比较,分别观察食管及胃底静脉曲张的消除率、再出血率及手术死亡率。结果术后平均随访23.5月,栓塞组再出血率为0,对照组再出血率为25%。两组患者均无死亡。结论胃冠状静脉栓塞术是安全、可靠的,可使贲门周围血管阻断更为彻底,降低复发,从而进一步提高周围血管离断的疗效。     

Transjugular Retrograde Cannulation of the Portal Vein via Patent Ductus Venosus: Alternative Access for Endovascular Hepatic Interventions

The use of the patent ductus venosus via a transjugular approach to access the portal system for endovascular treatment of hepatic vascular anomalies in three infants is reported. Two patients had an arterioportal fistula, and one had a rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma. All patients underwent arteriography followed by embolization of the vascular anomalies without complications. This alternative route is technically simpler and likely safer than transarterial and transhepatic approaches.