Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt combined with esophagogastric variceal embolization in the treatment of a large gastrorenal shunt

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) combined with stomach and esophageal variceal embolization(SEVE) in cirrhotic patients with a large gastrorenal vessel shunt(GRVS).METHODS: Eighty-one cirrhotic patients with gastric variceal bleeding(GVB) associated with a GRVS were enrolled in the study and accepted TIPS combined with SEVE(TIPS + SEVE), by which portosystemic pressuregradient(PPG), biochemical, TIPS-related complications, shunt dysfunction, rebleeding, and death were evaluated. RESULTS: The PPGs before TIPS were greater than 12 mmH g in 81 patients. TIPS + SEVE treatment caused a significant decrease in PPG(from 37.97 ± 6.36 mmH g to 28.15 ± 6.52 mm Hg, t = 19.22, P < 0.001). The percentage of reduction in PPG was greater than 20%from baseline. There were no significant differences in albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, prothrombin time, or Child-Pugh score before and after operation. In all patients, rebleeding rates were 3%, 6%, 12%, 18%, and 18% at 1,3, 6, 12, and 18 mo, respectively. Five patients(6.2%)were diagnosed as having hepatic encephalopathy. The rates of shunt dysfunction were 0%, 4%, 9%, 26%,and 26%, at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 mo, respectively. The cumulative survival rates in 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 mo were100%, 100%, 95%, 90%, and 90%, respectively.CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results indicated that the efficacy and safety of TIPS + SEVE were satisfactory in cirrhotic patients with GVB associated with a GRVS(GVB + GRVS).

A creatinine-based model for predicting recurrent bleeding after modified percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization in patients with cirrhosis

Background:Patients who survive initial esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EVB)are at an increased risk of recurrent bleeding and death;however,a reliable predictive model is lacking.We aimed to develop a model for rebleeding prediction in patients with EVB after modified percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization(PTVE)with cyanoacrylate.Methods:A total of 122 patients with EVB who underwent PTVE from January 2015 to November 2020 were enrolled.Multivariate logistic analyses were conducted to determine independent risk factors for nomogram construction.The discrimination,calibration,and clinical utility of the nomogram were compared with the Model for End-stage Liver Disease score(MELD)and the Child–Pugh model.Risk stratification was performed according to the nomogram.Results:Rebleeding within 3 months of PTVE occurred in 32 patients(26.2%).Independent rebleeding indicators included prior history of endoscopic therapy,Child–Pugh score,partial splenic embolization,and creatinine level.The nomogram incorporating these four predictors achieved excellent calibration and discriminatory abilities,with a concordance index of 0.85,which was confirmed to be 0.83 through bootstrapping validation.The nomogram demonstrated superior discrimination and clinical applicability than the MELD and Child–Pugh models.As shown in the Kaplan–Meier curves,high-risk patients had a high probability of rebleeding(P<0.001).Conclusions:The creatinine-based nomogram had a superior ability to predict rebleeding after PTVE in patients with EVB.Risk stratification may help identify high-risk patients and lead to the earlier implementation of aggressive treatments and formulation of intensive follow-up plans.

Risk factors for early rebleeding and mortality in acute variceal hemorrhage

AIM: To investigate the risk factors for 6-wk rebleeding and mortality in acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH) patients treated by percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization (PTVE).