Treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome by metallic stent as a bridge to liver transplantation

A 49-year-old male with Budd-Chiari syndrome complicated by liver cirrhosis and intractable ascites is reported. The left hepatic vein was stenosed by a short subocclusive ostial web; the right and medial hepatic veins were thrombosed. A spontaneous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt had developed between the left portal and left hepatic veins. After ineffective balloon angioplasty, the left hepatic venous outflow was restored by placement of a 10-mm-diameter Wallstent across the web via a femoral approach. The hepatic venous pressure dropped from 29 to 12 mmHg. Rapid clinical improvement followed. The patient underwent liver transplantation 3 months later in stable condition.