Targeted puncture of left branch of intrahepatic portal vein in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to reduce hepatic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) is currently used for the treatment of complications of portal hypertension. The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy(HE) remains a problem in TIPS placement. It has been reported that the right branch mainly receives superior mesenteric venous blood while the left branch mainly receives blood from the splenic vein. We hypothesized that targeted puncture of the left portal vein would divert the non-nutritive blood from the splenic vein into the TIPS shunt; therefore, targeted puncture of the left branch of the intrahepatic portal vein during TIPS may reduce the risk of HE.AIM To evaluate the influence of targeted puncture of left branch of portal vein in TIPS on HE.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 1244 patients with portal-hypertension-related complications of refractory ascites or variceal bleeding who underwent TIPS from January 2000 to January 2013 was performed. Patients were divided into group A(targeting left branch of portal vein, n = 937) and group B(targeting right branch of portal vein, n = 307). TIPS-related HE and clinical outcomes were analyzed.RESULTS The symptoms of ascites and variceal bleeding disappeared within a short time.By the endpoint of follow-up, recurrent bleeding and ascites did not differ significantly between groups A and B(P = 0.278, P = 0.561, respectively).Incidence of HE differed significantly between groups A and B at 1 mo(14.94% vs36.80%, χ~2 = 4.839, P = 0.028), 3 mo(12.48% vs 34.20%, χ~2 = 5.054, P = 0.025), 6 mo(10.03% vs 32.24%, χ~2 = 6.560, P = 0.010), 9 mo(9.17% vs 31.27%, χ~2 = 5.357, P =0.021), and 12 mo(8.21% vs 28.01, χ~2 = 3.848, P = 0.051). There were no significant differences between groups A and B at 3 years(6.61% vs 7.16%, χ~2 = 1.204, P =0.272) and 5 years(5.01% vs 6.18%, χ~2 = 0.072, P = 0.562). The total survival rate did not differ between groups A and B(χ~2 = 0.226, P = 0.634, log-rank test).CONCLUSION Targeted puncture of the left branch of the intrahepatic portal vein during TIPS may reduce the risk of HE but has no direct influence on prognosis of portalhypertension-related complications.

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter selective superior mesenteric artery urokinase infusion therapy vs transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with cirrhosis and acute portal vein thrombosis

AIM To compare the outcomes of transcatheter superior mesenteric artery(SMA) urokinase infusion and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) for acute portal vein thrombosis(PVT) in cirrhosis.METHODS From January 2013 to December 2014, patients with liver cirrhosis and acute symptomatic PVT who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either an SMA group or a TIPS group. The two groups accepted transcatheter selective SMA urokinase infusion therapyand TIPS, respectively. The total follow-up time was24 mo. The primary outcome measure was the change in portal vein patency status which was evaluated by angio-computed tomography or Doppler ultrasound.Secondary outcomes were rebleeding and hepatic encephalopathy.RESULTS A total of 40 patients were enrolled, with 20 assigned to the SMA group and 20 to the TIPS group. The symptoms of all patients in the two groups improved within 48 h. PVT was improved in 17(85%) patients in the SMA group and 14(70%) patients in the TIPS group. The main portal vein(MPV) thrombosis was significantly reduced in both groups(P < 0.001), and there was no significant difference between them(P= 0.304). In the SMA group, superior mesenteric vein(SMV) thrombosis and splenic vein(SV) thrombosis were significantly reduced(P = 0.048 and P = 0.02),which did not occur in the TIPS group. At 6-, 12-,and 24-mo follow-up, in the SMA group and the TIPS group, the cumulative rates free of the first episode of rebleeding were 80%, 65%, and 45% vs 90%, 80%,and 60%, respectively(P = 0.320); the cumulative rates free of the first episode of hepatic encephalopathy were 85%, 80%, and 65% vs 50%, 40%, and 35%,respectively(P = 0.022).CONCLUSION Transcatheter selective SMA urokinase infusion and TIPS are safe and effective for acute symptomatic PVT in cirrhosis.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the prevention of recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cavernous transformation of portal vein

Background: Treatment options for patients with cavernous transformation of portal vein(CTPV) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) to prevent recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with CTPV. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 67 consecutive patients undergone TIPS from January 2011 to December 2016. All patients were diagnosed with CTPV. The indication for TIPS was a previous episode of variceal bleeding. The data on recurrent bleeding, stent patency, hepatic encephalopathy and survival were retrieved and analyzed. Results: TIPS procedure was successfully performed in 56 out of 67(83.6%) patients with CTPV. TIPS was performed via a transjugular approach alone( n = 15), a combined transjugular/transhepatic approach( n = 33) and a combined transjugular/transsplenic approach( n = 8). Mean portosystemic pressure gradient(PSG) decreased from 28.09 ± 7.28 mmHg to 17.53 ± 6.12 mmHg after TIPS( P < 0.01). The probability of the remaining free recurrent variceal bleeding was 87.0%. The probability of TIPS patency reached 81.5%. Hepatic encephalopathy occurrence was 27.8%, and survival rate was 88.9% until the end of follow-up. Four out of 11 patients who failed TIPS died, and 4 had recurrent bleeding. Conclusions: TIPS should be considered a safe and feasible alternative therapy to prevent recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with CTPV, and to achieve clinical improvement.

Incidence of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy and its influence on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt stent patency

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is widely accepted as an alternative to surgery for management of complications of portal hypertension.TIPS has been used to treat portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in many centers since the 1990s.Although TIPS has good therapeutic effects on the formation of PVT,the effect of PVT on TIPS stenting has rarely been reported.Patients with splenectomy and pericardial devascu-larization have a high incidence of PVT,which can markedly affect TIPS stent patency and increase the risk of recurrent symptoms associated with shunt stenosis or occlusion.AIM To investigate the incidence of PVT after splenectomy and its influence on the patency rate of TIPS in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.METHODS Four hundred and eighty-six patients with portal hypertension for refractory ascites and/or variceal bleeding who required TIPS placement between January 2010 and January 2016 were included in this retrospective analysis.Patients without prior splenectomy were defined as group A (n = 289) and those with prior splenectomy as group B (n = 197).The incidence of PVT before TIPS was compared between the two groups.After TIPS placement,primary patency rate was compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis at 3,6,9 and 12 mo,and 2 and 3 years.The clinical outcomes were analyzed.RESULTS Before TIPS procedure,the incidence of PVT in group A was lower than in group B (P = 0.003),and TIPS technical success rate in group A was higher than in group B (P = 0.016).The primary patency rate in group A tended to be higher than in group B at 3,6,9 and 12 mo,2 years and 3 years (P = 0.006,P = 0.011,P = 0.023,P = 0.032,P = 0.037 and P = 0.028,respectively).Recurrence of bleeding and ascites rate in group A was lower than in group B at 3 mo (P ≤ 0.001 and P = 0.001),6 mo (P = 0.003 and P = 0.005),9 mo (P = 0.005 and P = 0.012),12 mo (P = 0.008 and P = 0.024),2 years (P = 0.011 and P = 0.018) and 3 years (P = 0.016 and P = 0.017),respectively.During 3-years follow-up,the 1-,2- and 3-year survival rate in group A were higher than in group B (P = 0.008,P = 0.021,P = 0.018,respectively),but there was no difference of the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (P = 0.527).CONCLUSION Patients with prior splenectomy have a high incidence of PVT,which potentially increases the risk of recurrent symptoms associated with shunt stenosis or occlusion.

Iodine-125 implantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for main portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND Main portal vein tumor thrombus(MPVTT), which has a high incidence, is the major complication of terminal liver cancer. The occurrence of MPVTT is always a negative prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Therefore, attention should be paid to the treatment of MPVTT and its complications.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization/transarterial embolization(TACE/TAE)+^(125)I seeds implantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) in treating MPVTT and its complications.METHODS From January 2007 to March 2015, 85 consecutive patients with MPVTT were nonrandomly assigned to undergo treatment with TACE/TAE + TIPS and ^(125)I implantation(TIPS-^(125)I group) or TACE/TAE + TIPS only(TIPS only group) in Beijing Shijitan Hospital, and all clinical data were collected. During 24 mo follow-up, the incidence of overall survival, stent stenosis and symptom recurrence was analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of TIPS-^(125)I.RESULTS During 24 mo follow-up of all patients, we collected data at 6, 12 and 24 mo. The rates of survival were 80%, 45%, and 20%, respectively, in the TIPS-^(125)I group,whereas those in the TIPS only group were 64.4%, 24.4%, and 4.4%, respectively(P < 0.05). The rates of symptom recurrence were 7.5%, 22.5%, and 35%,respectively, in the TIPS-^(125)I group, whereas those in the TIPS only group were31.1%, 62.2%, and 82.2%(P < 0.05). The rates of stent restenosis were 12.5%,27.5%, and 42.5%, respectively, in the TIPS-^(125)I group, and 42.2%, 68.9%, and84.4%, respectively, in the TIPS only group(P < 0.05). TIPS-^(125)I was found to be significantly favorable in treating MPVTT and its complications in patients with HCC.CONCLUSION TACE/TAE+^(125)I combined with TIPS is effective in treating MPVTT and its complications, improving quality of life of patients and reducing mortality.

Shunting branch of portal vein and stent position predict survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

AIM:To evaluate the effect of the shunting branch of the portal vein(PV)(left or right)and the initial stent position(optimal or suboptimal)of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed 307 consecu5tive cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS placement for variceal bleeding from March 2001 to July 2010 at our center.The left PV was used in 221 patients and the right PV in the remaining 86 patients.And,224 and83 patients have optimal stent position and sub-optimal stent positions,respectively.The patients were followed until October 2011 or their death.Hepatic encephalopathy,shunt dysfunction,and survival were evaluated as outcomes.The difference between the groups was compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis.A Cox regression model was employed to evaluate the predictors.RESULTS:Among the patients who underwent TIPS to the left PV,the risk of hepatic encephalopathy(P=0.002)and mortality were lower(P<0.001)compared to those to the right PV.Patients who underwent TIPS with optimal initial stent position had a higher primary patency(P<0.001)and better survival(P=0.006)than those with suboptimal initial stent position.The shunting branch of the portal vein and the initial stent position were independent predictors of hepatic encephalopathy and shunt dysfunction after TIPS,respectively.And,both were independent predictors of survival.CONCLUSION:TIPS placed to the left portal vein with optimal stent position may reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and improve the primary patency rates,thereby prolonging survival.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is effective in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis and variceal bleeding

Background:Studies about treatment of patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis(CPVT)are still limited,especially in different types of CPVT.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)in all types of CPVT with variceal bleeding.Methods:Patients with CPVT who received TIPS treatment between January 2011 and June 2019 were divided into four types according to the extent of thrombosis.All patients had a history of variceal bleeding.The characteristics and clinical parameters were collected and recorded.Data on procedure success rate,variation in portal vein pressure,rebleeding,hepatic encephalopathy(HE),stent stenosis,and overall mortality were analyzed.Results:A total of 189 patients were included in this study(39 in type 1,84 in type 2,48 in type 3,18 in type 4).The TIPS procedure success rate was 86.2%.The success rate was significantly different among the four types(89.7%vs.88.1%vs.83.3%vs.77.8%,P=0.001).In the TIPS success group,portal vein pressure was significantly reduced from 27.15±6.59 to 19.74±6.73 mm Hg after the procedure(P<0.001)and the rebleeding rate was significantly lower than that of the fail group(14.7%vs.30.8%,P=0.017).In addition,there were no significant differences in HE rate(30.7%vs.26.9%,P=0.912)or overall mortality(12.9%vs.19.2%,P=0.403)between the TIPS success group and the fail group.In the TIPS success group,we found that the occurrence of HE was significantly different(P=0.020)among the four types,while there were no significant differences in rebleeding rate(P=0.669),stent stenosis rate(P=0.056),or overall mortality(P=0.690).Conclusions:TIPS was safe and effective in decreasing portal vein pressure and rebleeding rate in patients with CPVT.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND Portal vein thrombosis(PVT)was previously a contraindication for trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).AIM To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current available studies investigating outcomes of TIPS for cirrhotic patient with PVT.METHODS Multiple databases were systematically searched to identify studies investigating the outcomes of TIPS for cirrhotic patients with PVT.The quality of studies was assessed by Cochrane Collaboration method and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies.The demographic data,outcomes,combined treatment,and anticoagulation strategy were extracted.RESULTS Twelve studies were identified with 460 patients enrolled in the analysis.The technical success rate was 98.9%in patients without portal vein cavernous transformation and 92.3%in patients with portal vein cavernous transformation.One-year portal vein recanalization rate was 77.7%,and TIPS patency rate was 84.2%.The cumulative encephalopathy rate was 16.4%.One-year overall survival was 87.4%.CONCLUSION TIPS is indicated for portal hypertension related complications and the restoration of pre-transplantation portal vein patency in cirrhotic patients with PVT.Cavernous transfor-mation is an indicator for technical failure.Post-TIPS anticoagulation seems not mandatory.Simultaneous TIPS and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy device could achieve accelerated portal vein recanalization and decreased thrombolysis-associated complications,but further investigation is still needed.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with covered stents for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis

AIM: To evaluate transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) with covered stents for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with main portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT). METHODS: Eleven advanced HCC patients(all male, aged 37-78 years, mean: 54.3 ± 12.7 years) presented with acute massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding(n = 9) or refractory ascites(n = 2) due to tumor thrombus in the main portal vein. The diagnosis of PVTT was based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and color Doppler sonography. The patients underwent TIPS with covered stents. Clinical characteristics and average survival time of 11 patients were analyzed. Portal vein pressure was assessed before and after TIPS. The follow-up period was 2-18 mo. RESULTS: TIPS with covered stents was successfully completed in all 11 patients. The mean portal vein pressure was reduced from 32.0 to 11.8 mmHg(t = 10.756, P = 0.000). Gastrointestinal bleeding was stopped in nine patients. Refractory ascites completely disappeared in one patient and was alleviated in another. Hepatic encephalopathy was observed in six patients and was resolved with drug therapy. During the follow-up, ultrasound indicated the patency of the shunt and there was no recurrence of symptoms. Death occurred 2-14 mo(mean: 5.67 mo) after TIPS in nine cases, which were all due to multiple organ failure. In the remaining two cases, the patients were still alive at the 16- and 18-mo follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: TIPS with covered stents for HCC patients with tumor thrombus in the main portal vein is technically feasible, and short-term efficacy is favorable.

Influence of different portal vein branches on hepatic encephalopathy during intrahepatic portal shunt via jugular vein

This letter is regarding the study titled‘Targeted puncture of left branch of intrahepatic portal vein in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)to reduce hepatic encephalopathy’.Prior to the approval of TIPS dedicated stents(Viatorr stents)in China in October 2015,Fluency covered stents were typically used.As Fluency covered stents have a strong support force and axial elastic tension,a‘cap’may form if the stent is located too low at the end of the hepatic vein or too short at the end of the portal vein during surgery,leading to stent dysfunction.Since the blood shunted by the stent is from the main trunk of the portal vein,the correlation between the incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy and the location of the puncture target(left or right portal vein branch)is worth discussion.Notably,no studies in China or foreign countries have proven the occurrence of left and right blood stratification after the accumulation of splenic vein and mesenteric blood flow in the main trunk of the portal vein in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with radioactive seed strand for main portal vein tumor thrombosis with cirrhotic portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with main portal vein tumor thrombosis(mPVTT) and cirrhotic portal hypertension(CPH) have an extremely poor prognosis, and there is a lack of a clinically effective treatment paradigm.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)combined with radioactive seed strand for the treatment of mPVTT patients with CPH.METHODS The clinical data of 83 consecutive patients who underwent TIPS combined with 125I seed strand placement for mPVTT and CPH from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Procedure-related data(success rate, relief of portal vein pressure and CPH symptoms,and adverse events), PVTT response, and patient survival were assessed through a 2-year followup.RESULTS The success rate was 100.0% without perioperative death or procedure-related severe adverse events. The mean portal vein pressure was significantly decreased after the procedure(22.25 ± 7.33mmHg vs 35.12 ± 7.94 mmHg, t = 20.61, P < 0.001). The symptoms of CPH were all effectively relieved within 1 mo. The objective response rate of PVTT was 67.5%. During a mean follow-up of 14.5 ± 9.4 mo(range 1-37 mo), the cumulative survival rates at 6, 12 and 24 mo were 83.1%, 49.7%,and 21.8%, respectively. The median survival time was 12.0 ± 1.3 mo(95% confidence interval: 9.5-14.5). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, body mass index, Child-Pugh grade, cTNM stage,and PVTT response were independent prognostic factors(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION TIPS combined with radioactive seed strand might be effective and safe in treating mPVTT patients with CPH.

Asymptomatic Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunt: Case Report and Review of Literature

A spontaneous portosystemic shunt is a rare malformation of the liver vessels. The etiology of these shunts is controversial. They can be divided into acquired (most commonly associated with liver cirrhosis) and congenital. Vascular shunts are asymptomatic in the majority of the patients, and when symptomatic were presented by severe complications. The specific way of management can be selected depended on whether the patient was symptomatic or not, and also on the size of the shunt, shunt ratio and whether it was associated with cancer. We will present a clinical case and discuss the importance of the radiological imaging in the screening, diagnosis and follow up of these anomalies.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND Whether hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)and acute esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EGVB)can improve the success rate of endoscopic hemostasis and overall survival(OS)from transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)remains controversial.AIM To compare the clinical outcomes between TIPS and standard treatment for such HCC patients.METHODS This monocenter,retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed as HCC with PVTT and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Patients were grouped by the treatment(TIPS or standard conservative treatment).The success rate of en-doscopic hemostasis,OS,rebleeding rates,and main causes of death were ana-lyzed.RESULTS Between July 2015 and September 2021,a total of 77 patients(29 with TIPS and 48 with standard treatment)were included.The success rate of endoscopic hemostasis was 96.6%in the TIPS group and 95.8%in the standard treatment group.All the 29 patients in TIPS group successful underwent TIPS procedure and had a better OS compared with standard treatment within the first 160 days after treatment(68 days vs 43 days,P=0.022),but shorter OS after 160 days(298 days vs 472 days, P = 0.022). Cheng’s Classification of PVTT, total bilirubin and Child-Pugh class wereindependently negative associated with OS (all P < 0.05). The main causes of death were liver failure or hepaticencephalopathy (75.9%) in the TIPS group and rebleeding (68.8%) in the standard treatment.CONCLUSIONTIPS could reduce the risk of early death due to rebleeding and prolong short-term survival in HCC patients withPVTT and acute EGVB, which deserves further investigation.

肝移植围手术期门静脉血栓管理的研究进展

门静脉血栓是肝硬化的常见并发症之一,其发生率随着疾病的发展而增加。门静脉血栓的发生发展与多种因素有关,抗凝治疗的指征仍需进一步研究探索。门静脉血栓目前已不再认为是肝移植手术的禁忌,但是复杂的门静脉血栓会增加肝移植围手术期风险,如何恢复门静脉系统血流是临床手术方案决策的难点,合理的术前分型、手术规划和门静脉重建方式是保障肝移植受者远期良好预后的关键。本文就门静脉血栓的流行病学现状、危险因素、分型与鉴别,肝移植术前门静脉血栓管理和术中处理,以及门静脉血栓对肝移植结局的影响进行综述,为肝移植围手术期门静脉血栓的管理提供参考。

经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术对肝硬化门静脉高压症患者门静脉直径及远期疗效的影响

目的探究经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术(TIPS)对肝硬化门静脉高压症(PHT)患者门静脉直径(PVD)及远期疗效的影响。方法选择2017年1月—2020年1月保定市第二中心医院收治的100例肝硬化PHT患者,利用随机数字表法分为对照组(50例,采用贲门周围血管离断术治疗)与研究组(50例,采用TIPS治疗),收集患者的临床资料并比较两组患者的肝脏血流动力学、肝功能及远期疗效。结果术前1 d,两组肝硬化PHT患者的PVD、门静脉血流量(PVF)、脾静脉内径(SVD)、脾静脉血流量(SVF)、门静脉流速(PVV)、脾静脉流速(SVV)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)及总胆红素(TBil)比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后7 d,PVD[(1.15±0.22)cm vs(1.53±0.32)cm]、PVF[(774.45±101.28)mL vs(845.33±120.39)mL]、SVD[(1.17±0.21)cm vs(1.32±0.27)cm]、SVF[(304.47±63.38)mL vs(400.01±74.12)mL]、ALT[(38.45±8.61)U/L vs(50.26±10.05)U/L]、AST[(39.18±8.97)U/L vs(48.51±10.13)U/L]、TBil[(28.19±6.08)μmol/L vs(39.53±8.96)μmol/L]均降低(P<0.05),PVV[(45.69±9.98)cm/s vs(30.08±6.57)cm/s]及SVV[(24.76±6.02)cm/s vs(18.96±4.04)cm/s]均升高(P<0.05),且上述指标研究组改善更为明显(P<0.05)。两组肝硬化PHT患者的存活率随着术后时间的增加而降低,术后3年研究组的存活率明显高于对照组(P<0.05),并且,术后3年研究组的不良事件总发生率低于对照组,但两组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论TIPS治疗肝硬化PHT效果确切,可明显改善肝硬化PHT患者肝脏血流动力学及肝功能,对患者的远期疗效好。

肝硬化门静脉血栓形成诊治新进展

门静脉血栓形成(portal vein thrombosis,PVT)被定义为门静脉主干或其分支内血栓形成,伴或不伴延伸至脾静脉或/和肠系膜上静脉的栓子[1,2]。PVT的出现给肝硬化患者后续治疗,不论是急性出血、腹水还是肝移植,都带来更多技术上的困难。因为PVT的存在可导致肝门静脉灌注减少和实质萎缩,还可导致门静脉高压进一步加重和肝功能恶化,发生失代偿事件和死亡的风险也显著增加,影响预后[3]。这类患者发生急性食管胃静脉曲张时,控制急性出血失败的风险较无PVT者增加3倍。在规律内镜治疗过程中,消除静脉曲张的时间也更长。本文就肝硬化并发PVT做一介绍,供相关专业医生参考。

经颈静脉肝内门体分流术治疗门静脉高压伴门静脉血栓的疗效与安全性

目的探讨经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术(transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt,TIPS)治疗门静脉高压伴门静脉血栓(portal vein thrombosis,PVT)的疗效及安全性。方法纳入2017年12月至2022年10月中国人民解放军总医院收治的符合TIPS治疗指征的31例门静脉高压伴PVT患者。收集患者临床资料,包括术前实验室检查、术式选择、术中门静脉压力(portal vein pressure,PVP)、术后随访超声或增强CT检查及有无肝性脑病(hepatic encephalopathy,HE)等。采用配对t检验比较支架植入前后PVP差异,Kaplan-Meier曲线分析患者术后分流道通畅率、再出血率、HE发生率及生存率。Log-rank检验分析伴或不伴有门静脉海绵样变性(cavernous transformation of portal vein,CTPV)患者的随访结果差异。结果TIPS成功率为93.55%(29/31)。手术成功的29例患者支架植入前后PVP由(30.15±4.61)mmHg降至(20.84±5.57)mmHg,差异有统计学意义(t=8.975,P<0.05)。术后随访时间为22.90(4.50,61.80)个月。随访期间,24.14%(7/29)的患者出现分流道功能障碍,17.24%(5/29)的患者出现再出血,17.24%(5/29)的患者出现HE,17.24%(5/29)的患者死亡。10例PVT患者伴有CTPV,伴有CTPV患者的分流道功能障碍5例、再出血3例、HE 1例、死亡3例,不伴有CTPV患者的分流道功能障碍2例、再出血2例、HE 4例、死亡2例。伴有CTPV的PVT患者的分流道功能障碍及再出血发生率高于不伴CTPV的患者(均P<0.05),而两组间HE发生率及术后病死率差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结论TIPS可有效降低伴有PVT患者的PVP,PVT伴CTPV的患者TIPS后分流道功能障碍及再出血发生率高于不伴CTPV的患者。

TIPS治疗肝硬化门静脉血栓的临床疗效

目的 探讨经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)治疗肝硬化合并门静脉血栓(PVT)的临床疗效。方法 选取17例肝硬化合并PVT,并有食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者,对其进行TIPS治疗,术后进行随访6~25个月(平均16个月)。根据手术结果,分析手术治疗成功率、术后血管再通、曲张静脉缓解和再发出血情况。结果 17例患者TIPS手术成功14例,成功率82.3%。术前门静脉主干血栓9例,至随访结束1例未缓解,再通率88.9%,门静脉主干伴有分支血管血栓3例,2例部分缓解;2例伴有肠系膜上静脉血栓,术后均得到缓解。3例手术失败患者均未缓解。14例手术成功患者术后3个月、6个月再发出血分别为1例、2例,出血率为21.4%。术后10例曲张静脉转为轻度或消失,缓解率为76.9%。14例手术成功患者3例术后发生肝性脑病,治疗后好转。所有患者无严重并发症发生。结论 TIPS对于抗凝治疗失败的PVT患者具有非常好的技术成功率及临床疗效,明显提高了门静脉再通率,减少了门静脉高压相关并发症,疗效肯定,可作为一线治疗方法。

Portal Fibrotic Cord is Associated with Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Failure and Death in Cirrhotic Patients

Background and Aims:Occlusive portal vein thrombosis(PVT)often causes portal hypertension-related complications in cirrhotic patients.Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is an effective treatment for this difficult problem.However,the factors influencing TIPS success and overall survival in patients with occlusive PVT are unknown.This study investigated the factors influencing TIPS success and overall survival in cirrhotic patients with occlusive PVT.Methods:Cirrhotic patients with occlusive PVT were selected from a prospective database of consecutive patients treated with TIPS in Xijing Hospital between January 2015 and May 2021.Baseline characteristics,TIPS success rate,complications,and survival were collected,and the factors associated with the TIPS success rate and transplant-free survival were analyzed.Results:A total of 155 cirrhotic patients with occlusive PVT were enrolled.TIPS succeeded in 126(81.29%)cases.The 1-year survival rate was 74%.Compared with those without,patients with portal fibrotic cord had a lower TIPS success rate(39.02%vs.96.49%,p<0.001),shorter median overall survival(300 vs.1,730 days,p<0.001)and more operation-related complications(12.20%vs.1.75%,p<0.01).Logistic regression analysis found that portal fibrotic cord(odds ratio 0.024)was a risk factor for TIPS failure.Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that portal fibrotic cord was an independent predictor of death(hazard ratio 2.111;95%CI:1.094-4.071,p=0.026).Conclusions:Portal fibrotic cord increased the TIPS failure rate and is a risk factor for poor prognosis in cirrhotic patients.

Portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis: Controversies and latest developments

Portal vein thrombosis(PVT) is encountered in livercirrhosis, particularly in advanced disease. It has been a feared complication of cirrhosis, attributed to significant worsening of liver disease, poorer clinical outcomes and potential inoperability at liver transplantation; also catastrophic events such as acute intestinal ischaemia. Optimal management of PVT has not yet been addressed in any consensus publication.We review current literature on PVT in cirrhosis; its prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, impact on the natural history of cirrhosis and liver transplantation,and management. Studies were identified by a search strategy using MEDLINE and Google Scholar. The incidence of PVT increases with increasing severity of liver disease: less than 1% in well-compensated cirrhosis, 7.4%-16% in advanced cirrhosis. Prevalence in patients undergoing liver transplantation is 5%-16%.PVT frequently regresses instead of uniform thrombus progression. PVT is not associated with increased risk of mortality. Optimal management has not been addressed in any consensus publication. We propose areas for future research to address unresolved clinical questions.