经颈内静脉行肝内门—体静脉分流术的术中护理

经颈静脉肝内门-体静脉分流术时向颈内静脉插入特殊导管和穿刺针,通过穿刺、扩张和植入内支架等措施,在肝静脉与门静脉之间建立一个人工的血流通道,使门静脉血流入体循环,这是治疗门脉高压的介入性新技术。此技术创伤小,效果显著。我科于1993年6月至1994年5月,为50例门脉高压症患者实施了门-体分流术。

Veno occlusive disease: Update on clinical management

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a clinical syndrome characterized by hepatomegaly, ascites, weight gain and jaundice, due to sinusoidal congestion which can be caused by alkaloid ingestion, but the most frequent cause is haematopoietic stem cell transplantation （STC） and is also seen after solid organ transplantation. The incidence of veno occlusive disease （VOD） after STC ranges from 0 to 70%, but is decreasing. Survival is good when VOD is a mild form, but when it is severe and associated with an increase of hepatic venous pressure gradient 〉 20 mmHg, and mortality is about 90%. Prevention remains the best therapeutic strategy, by using non-myeloablative conditioning regimens before STC. Prophylactic administration of ursodeoxycholic add, being an antioxidant and antiapoptotic agent, can have some benefit in reducing overall mortality. Defibrotide, which has pro-fibrinolytic and antithrombotic properties, is the most effective therapy; decompression of the sinusoids by a b-ansjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt （TIPS） can be tried, especially to treat VOD after liver transplantation and when multiorgan failure （HOF） is not present. Liver transplantation can be the last option, but can not be considered a standard rescue therapy, because usually the concomitant presence of multiorgan failure contraindicates this procedure.

Staging of portal hypertension and portosystemic shunts using dynamic nuclear medicine investigations

AIM： To explore portal hypertension and portosystemic shunts and to stage chronic liver disease （CLD） based on the pathophysiology of portal hemodynamics. METHODS： Per-rectal portal scintigraphy （PRPS） was performed on 312 patients with CLD and liver angioscintigraphy （LAS） on 231 of them. The control group included 25 healthy subjects. We developed a new model of PRPS interpretation by introducing two new parameters, the liver transit time （LTT） and the circu-lation time between right heart and liver （RHLT）. LTT for each lobe was used to evaluate the early portal hypertension. RHLT is useful in cirrhosis to detect liver areas missing portal inflow. We calculated the classical per-rectal portal shunt index （PRSI） at PRPS and the hepatic perfusion index （HPI） at LAS. RESULTS： The normal LTT value was 24 ± 1 s. Abnormal LTT had PPV = 100% for CLD. Twenty-seven noncirrhotic patients had LTT increased up to 35 s （median 27 s）. RHLT （42 ± 1 s） was not related to liver disease. Cirrhosis could be excluded in all patients with PRSI 〈 5% （P 〈 0.01）. PRSI 〉 30% had PPV = 100% for cirrhosis. Based on PRPS and LAS we propose the classification of CLD in 5 hemodynamic stages. Stage 0 is normal （LTT = 24 s, PRSI 〈 5%）. In stage 1, LTT is increased, while PRSI remains normal. In stage 2, LTT is decreased between 16 s and 23 s, whereas PRSI is increased between 5% and 10%. In stage 3, PRSI is increased to 10%-30%, and LTT becomes undetectable by PRPS due to the portosystemic shunts. Stage 4 includes the patients with PRSI 〉 30%. RHLT and HPI were used to subtype stage 4. In our study stage 0 had NPV = 100% for CLD, stage 1 had PPV = 100% for non-cirrhotic CLD, stages 2 and 3 represented the transition from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis, stage 4 had PPV = 100% for cirrhosis. CONCLUSION： LTT allows the detection of early portal hypertension and of opening of transhepatic shunts. PRSI is useful in CLD with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Our hemodynamic model stages the evolution of portal hypertension and portosystemic shunts. It may be of use in the selection of patients for interferon therapy.

Extensive hepatic-portal and mesenteric venous gas due to sigmoid diverticulitis

Hepatic portal venous gas is most often associated with extensive bowel necrosis due to mesenteric infarction.Mortality exceeds 75% with this condition.The most common precipitating factors include ischemia,intra-abdominal abscesses and inflammatory bowel disease.In this report,we present a 75-year-old woman with extensive hepatic portal and mesenteric venous gas due to colonic diverticulitis.She had a 10-year history of type diabetes mellitus and hypertension.She was treated by sigmoid resection and Hartmann's procedure and discharged from the hospital without any complications.

Effect of rapamycin on hepatic osteodystrophy in rats with portasystemic shunting

AIM： TO study if T-cell activation related to portasystemic shunting causes osteoclast-mediated bone loss through RANKL-dependent pathways. We also investigated if T-cell inhibition using rapamycin would protect against bone loss in rats. METHODS： Portasystemic shunting was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats and rapamycin 0.1 mg/kg was administered for 15 wk by gavage. Rats received powderized chow and supplemental feeds to prevent the effects of malnutrition on bone composition. Weight gain and growth was restored after surgery in shunted animals. At termination, biochemical parameters of bone turnover and quantitative bone histology were assessed. Markers of T-cell activation, inflammatory cytokine production, and RANKL-dependent pathways were measured. In addition, the roles of IGF-1 and hypogonadism were investigated. RESULTS： Portasystemic shunting caused low turnover osteoporosis that was RANKL independent. Bone resorbing cytokine levels, including IL-1, IL-6 and TNFα, were not increased in serum and TNFα and RANKL expression were not upregulated in PBMC. Portasystemic shunting increased the circulating CD8＋ T-cell population. Rapamycin decreased the circulating CD8＋ T-cell population, increased CD8＋ CD25＋ T-regulatory cell population and improved all parameters of bone turnover. CONCLUSION： Osteoporosis caused by portasystemic shunting may be partially ameliorated by rapamycin in the rat model of hepatic osteodystrophy.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt-placement increases arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine ratio in cirrhotic patients

AIM:To analyze the change of dimethylarginine plasma levels in cirrhotic patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).METHODS:To determine arginine,asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA),symmetric dimethylarginine(SDMA),and nitric oxide(NO) plasma levels,blood samples were collected from the superior cava,hepatic,and portal vein just before,directly after,and 3 mo after TIPS-placement.RESULTS:A significant increase in the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement was shown.Moreover,TIPS placement enhanced renal function and thereby decreased systemic SDMA levels.In patients with renal dysfunction before TIPS placement,both the arginine/ADMA ratio and creatinine clearance rate increased significantly,while this was not the case in patients with normal renal function before TIPS placement.Hepatic function did not change significantly after TIPS placement and no significant decline in ADMA plasma levels was measured.CONCLUSION:The increase of the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement suggests an increase in intracellular NO bioavailability.In addition,this study suggests that TIPS placement does not alter dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase(DDAH) activity and confirms the major role of the liver as an ADMA clearing organ.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in liver transplant recipients

AIM： To evaluate the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts （TIPSs） after liver transplantation （LT）. METHODS： Between November 1996 and December 2005, 10 patients with severe recurrent hepatitis C virus infection （n = 4）, ductopenic rejection （n = 5） or portal vein thrombosis （n = 1） were included in this analysis. Eleven TIPSs （one patient underwent two TIPS procedures） were placed for management of therapy-refractory ascites （n = 7）, hydrothorax （n = 2） or bleeding from colonic varices （n = 1）. The median time interval between LT and TIPS placement was 15 （4-158） mo. RESULTS： TIPS placement was successful in all patients. The mean portosystemic pressure gradient was reduced from 12.5 to 8.7 mmHg. Complete and partial remission could be achieved in 43% and 29% of patients with ascites. Both patients with hydrothorax did not respond to TIPS. No recurrent bleeding was seen in the patient with colonic varices. Nine of 10 patients died during the study period. Only one of two patients, who underwent retransplantation after the TIPS procedure, survived. The median survival period after TIPS placement was 3.3 （range 0.4-20） too. The majority of patients died from sepsis with multiorgan failure. CONCLUSION： Indications for TIPS and technical performance in LT patients correspond to those in non-transplanted patients. At least partial control of therapy-refractory ascites and variceal bleeding could be achieved in most patients. Nevertheless, survival rates were disappointing, most probably because of the advanced stages of liver disease at the time of TIPS placement and the high risk of sepsis as a consequence of immunosuppression.

Hepatic portal venous gas: Physiopathology, etiology, prognosis and treatment

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG), an ominous radiologic sign, is associated in some cases with a severe underlying abdominal disease requiring urgent operative intervention. HPVG has been reported with increasing frequency in medical literature and usually accompanies severe or lethal conditions. The diagnosis of HPVG is usually made by plain abdominal radiography, sonography, color Doppler flow imaging or computed tomography (CT) scan. Currently, the increased use of CT scan and ultrasound in the inpatient setting allows early and highly sensitive detection of such severe illnesses and also the recognition of an increasing number of benign and non-life threatening causes of HPVG. HPVG is not by itself a surgical indication and the treatment depends mainly on the underlying disease. The prognosis is related to the pathology itself and is not influenced by the presence of HPVG. Based on a review of the literature, we discuss in this paper the pathophysiology, risk factors, radiographic findings, management, and prognosis of pathologies associated with HPVG.

Enterovenous fistulization: A rare complication of Crohn's disease

The presence of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is associated with numerous diseases, and has been regarded as a serious, even catastrophic condition. However, anecdotal reports mention that some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who developed HPVG after diagnostic examinations of the colon, were successfully managed with antibiotic therapy and have followed benign courses. In contrast, among IBD patients, the development of HPVG is rarely caused by enterovenous fistula. We describe a 32-year-old man with Crohn's ileocolitis who presented with hypotension and fever associated with HPVG, as well as superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, possibly caused by enterovenous fistula, who was successfully managed by surgery. We also review the literature concerning portal venous gas associated with Crohn's disease.

Renal-function change after transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt placement and its relationship with survival:a single-center experience

Background:The effect of transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)placement on renal function and the correlation of post-TIPS Cr with mortality remain unclear.This study aimed to assess the effect of TIPS placement on renal function and to examine the relationship between post-TIPS Cr and mortality risk.Methods:A total of 593 patients who underwent de novo TIPS placement between 2004 and 2017 at a single institution were included in the study.The pre-TIPS Cr level(T0;within 7 days before TIPS placement)and post-TIPS Cr levels,at 1–2 days(T1),5–12 days(T2),and 15–40 days(T3),were collected.Predictors of Cr change after TIPS placement and the 1-year mortality rate were analysed using multivariable linear-regression and Cox proportional-hazards models,respectively.Results:Overall,21.4%of patients(n=127)had elevated baseline Cr(≤1.5 mg/dL;mean,2.5161.49 mg/dL)and 78.6%(n=466)had normal baseline Cr(<1.5 mg/dL;mean,0.9260.26 mg/dL).Patients with elevated pre-TIPS Cr demonstrated a decrease in post-TIPS Cr(difference,-0.60 mg/dL),whereas patients with normal baseline Cr exhibited no change(difference,<0.01 mg/dL).The 30-day,90-day,and 1-year mortality rates were 13%,20%,and 32%,respectively.Variceal bleeding as a TIPS-placement indication(hazard ratio=1.731;P=0.036),higher T0 Cr(hazard ratio=1.834;P=0.012),and higher T3 Cr(hazard ratio=3.524;P<0.001)were associated with higher 1-year mortality risk.Conclusion:TIPS placement improved renal function in patients with baseline renal dysfunction and the post-TIPS Cr level was a strong predictor of 1-year mortality risk.

Utility of Doppler ultrasonography for predicting improvement of platelet count after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Objective.Portal pressure gradient(PPG)after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)<12mmHg has been reported as the only factor predictive of increase in platelet count.As flow velocities measured on Doppler ultrasound are related to pressure gradient based on the Bernoulli equation,we used this parameter to predict increased platelet count after TIPS placement.Methods.A total of 161 consecutive patients who underwent TIPS placement entered this retrospective study.The platelet count was measured before,one week after and one month after TIPS placement.Clinically significant thrombocytopenia was defined as platelet count≤100000.Pre-and post-TIPS PPGs were measured.The velocity of blood flow in the proximal,mid and distal TIPS stent was measured using Doppler ultrasound,and the difference in the highest and lowest measured velocity was entitled flow velocity gradient(FVG),which was considered normal when≤100 cm/s.Results.In 121 patients with pre-TIPS thrombocytopenia,the mean platelet count one week and one month after TIPS placement increased 25.7×10^(3) and 35.0 × 10^(3) in 90 patients with PPG≤12mmHg(P=0.028 and P=0.015),while there was no significant change in platelet count in patients with a PPG>12mmHg(P=0.098 and P=0.075).Platelets increased significantly when FVG≤100 cm/s(n=95)vs FVG>100 cm/s(n=26)one week(37.0×10^(3) vs 11.0×10^(3);P=0.005 vs 0.07)and one month after TIPS placement(17.0×10^(3) vs 5.2×10^(3);P=0.01 vs 0.21).Conclusion.FVG>100 cm/s is not associated with increase in post-TIPS platelet count.On the other hand,findings suggestive of proper TIPS function(FVG≤100 cm/s and PPG≤12mmHg)predict a significant increase in post-TIPS platelet count.

Portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis

Portal vein thrombosis(PVT)is frequent in patients with liver cirrhosis and possible severe complications such as mesenteric ischemia are rare,but can be life-threatening.However,different aspects of clinical relevance,diagnosis and management of PVT are still areas of uncertainty and investigation in international guidelines.In this article,we elaborate on PVT classification,geographical differences in clinical presentation and standards of diagnosis,and briefly on the current pathophysiological understanding and risk factors.This review considers and highlights the pitfalls of the various treatment approaches and prophylactic treatments.Finally,we review the controversial issue of clinical impact of PVT on prognosis,especially considering liver transplantation and future perspectives.

Variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients

Variceal bleeding is one of the major causes of death in cirrhotic patients.The management during the acute phase and the secondary prophylaxis is well defined.Recent recommendations(2015 Baveno VI expert consensus)are available and should be followed for an optimal management,which must be performed as an emergency in a liver or general intensive-care unit.It is based on the early administration of a vasoactive drug(before endoscopy),an antibiotic prophylaxis and a restrictive transfusion strategy(hemoglobin target of 7 g/dL).The endoscopic treatment is based on band ligations.Sclerotherapy should be abandoned.In the most severe patients(Child Pugh C or B with active bleeding during initial endoscopy),transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)should be performed within 72 hours after admission to minimize the risk of rebleeding.Secondary prophylaxis is based on the association of non-selective beta-blockers(NSBBs)and repeated band ligations.TIPS should be considered when bleeding reoccurs in spite of a well-conducted secondary prophylaxis or when NSBBs are poorly tolerated.It should also be considered when bleeding is refractory.Liver transplantation should be discussed when bleeding is not controlled after TIPS insertion and in all cases when liver function is deteriorated.