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).

Effect of initial stent position on patency of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

AIM To evaluate the effect of initial stent position on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).METHODS We studied 425 patients from January 2004 to January 2015 with refractory ascites or variceal bleeding who required TIPS placement. Patients were randomly divided into group A(stent in hepatic vein, n = 57), group B(stent extended to junction of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava, n = 136), group C(stent in left branch of portal vein, n = 83) and group D(stent in main portal vein, n = 149). Primary unassisted patency was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and incidence of recurrence of bleeding, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy(HE) were analyzed.RESULTS The mean primary unassisted patency rate in group B tended to be higher than in group A at 3, 6 and 12 mo(P = 0.001, 0.000 and 0.005), and in group D it tended to be lower than in group C at 3, 6 and 12 mo(P = 0.012, 0.000 and 0.028). The median shunt primary patency time for group A was shorter than for group B(5.2 mo vs 9.1 mo, 95%CI: 4.3-5.6, P = 0.013, logrank test), while for group C it was longer than for group D(8.3 mo vs 6.9 mo, 95%CI: 6.3-7.6, P = 0.025, log-rank test). Recurrence of bleeding and ascites in group A was higher than in group B at 3 mo(P = 0.014 and 0.020), 6 mo(P = 0.014 and 0.019) and 12 mo(P = 0.024 and 0.034. Recurrence in group D was higher than in group C at 3 mo(P = 0.035 and 0.035), 6 mo(P = 0.038 and 0.022) and 12 mo(P = 0.017 and 0.009). The incidence of HE was not significantly different among any of the groups(P = 0.965).CONCLUSION The initial stent position can markedly affect stent patency, which potentially influences the risk of recurrent symptoms associated with shunt stenosis or occlusion.

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).

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.

Effect of technical parameters on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts utilizing stent grafts

AIM: To assess the effect of technical parameters on outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) created using a stent graft.METHODS: The medical records of 68 patients who underwent TIPS placement with a stent graft from 2008 to 2014 were reviewed by two radiologists blinded to the patient outcomes.Digital Subtraction Angiographic images with a measuring catheter in two orthogonal planes was used to determine the TIPS stent-to-inferior vena cava distance(SIVCD),hepatic vein to parenchymal tract angle(HVTA),portal vein to parenchymal tract angle(PVTA),and the accessed portal vein.The length and diameter of the TIPS stent and the use of concurrent variceal embolization were recorded by review of the patient's procedure note.Data on re-intervention within 30 d of TIPS placement,recurrence of symptoms,and survival were collected through the patient's chart.Cox proportional regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of these technical parameters on primary patency of TIPS,time to recurrence of symptoms,and all-cause mortality.RESULTS: There was no significant associationbetween the SIVCD and primary patency(P = 0.23),time to recurrence of symptoms(P = 0.83),or allcause mortality(P = 0.18).The 3,6,and 12-mo primary patency rates for a SIVCD ≥ 1.5 cm were 82.4%,64.7%,and 50.3% compared to 89.3%,83.8%,and 60.6% for a SIVCD of < 1.5 cm(P = 0.29).The median time to stenosis for a SIVCD of ≥ 1.5 cm was 19.1 mo vs 15.1 mo for a SIVCD of < 1.5 cm(P = 0.48).There was no significant association between the following factors and primary patency: HVTA(P = 0.99),PVTA(P = 0.65),accessed portal vein(P = 0.35),TIPS stent diameter(P = 0.93),TIPS stent length(P = 0.48),concurrent variceal embolization(P = 0.13) and reinterventions within 30 d(P = 0.24).Furthermore,there was no correlation between these technical parameters and time to recurrence of symptoms or all-cause mortality.Recurrence of symptoms was associated with stent graft stenosis(P = 0.03).CONCLUSION: TIPS stent-to-caval distance and other parameters have no significant effect on primary patency,time to recurrence of symptoms,or all-cause mortality following TIPS with a stent-graft.

A new choice of stent for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation: Viabahn ePTFE covered stent/bare metal stent combination

Objectives:To compare the clinical outcomes in terms of structure and function between the insertion of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) created with the Viabahn ePTFE covered stent/bare metal stent(BMS) combination and the Fluency ePTFE covered stent/BMS combination.Methods:A total of 101 consecutive patients who received a TIPS from February 2016 to August 2018 in our center were retrospectively analyzed.Sixty-four subjects were enrolled in the Viabahn group and 37 were enrolled in the Fluency group.The geometry characteristics of the TIPS were calculated,and the associated occurrence of shunt dysfunction,survival,overt hepatic encephalopathy,and variceal rebleeding were evaluated.Results:The technical success rate was 100%.After the insertion of the TIPS,the rate of shunt dysfunction during the first 3 months was significantly different between the Viabahn and Fluency groups(1.6% and 13.5%,respectively;p=0.024).Multivariate analysis indicated that the angle of portal venous inflow(α) was the only independent risk factor for shunt dysfunction(hazard ratio=1.060,95% confidence interval=1.009-1.112,p=0.020).In addition,3 months after the TIPS insertion,the a angle distinctly increased from 20.9°±14.3°-26.9°±20.1°(p=0.005) in the Fluency group but did not change significantly in the Viabahn group(from 21.9°±15.1°-22.9°± 17.6°,p=0.798).Conclusions:Shunt dysfunction was related to the a angle owing to the slight effect on the a angle after the implantation of the TIPS.The Viabahn ePTFE covered stent/BMS combination was more stable in structure and promised higher short-term stent patency compared with the Fluency ePTFE covered stent/BMS combination.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt for medically refractory hepatic hydrothorax:A systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis

AIM:To assess the effectiveness of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt(TIPSS) in refractory hepatic hydrothorax(RHH) in a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis.METHODS:A comprehensive literature search was conducted on MEDLINE,EMBASE,and Pub Med covering the period from January 1970 to August 2014.Two authors independently selected and abstracted data from eligible studies.Data were summarized using a random-effects model.Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test.RESULTS:Six studies involving a total of 198 patients were included in the analysis.The mean(SD) age of patients was 56(1.8) years.Most patients(56.9%) had Child-Turcott-Pugh class C disease.The mean duration of follow-up was 10 mo(range,5.7-16 mo).Response to TIPSS was complete in 55.8%(95%CI:44.7%-66.9%),partial in 17.6%(95%CI:10.9%-24.2%),and absent in 21.2%(95%CI:14.2%-28.3%).The mean change in hepatic venous pressure gradient post-TIPSS was 12.7 mm Hg.The incidence of TIPSS-related encephalopathy was 11.7%(95%CI:6.3%-17.2%),and the 45-d mortality was 17.7%(95%CI:11.34%-24.13%).CONCLUSION:TIPSS is associated with a clinically relevant response in RHH.TIPSS should be considered early in these patients,given its poor prognosis.

Parallel transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with Viatorr^(®)? stents for primary TIPS insufficiency:Case series and review of literature

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts(TIPS) can alleviate complications of portal hypertension such as ascites and variceal bleeding by decreasing the portosystemic gradient.In limited clinical situations,parallel TIPS may be only solution to alleviate either variceal bleeding or ascites secondary to portal hypertension when the primary TIPS fails to do so.Data specifically addressing the use of this partially polytetrafluoroethylene covered nitinol stent(Viatorr~?) is largely lacking despite Viatorr~? being the current gold standard for modern TIPS placement.CASE SUMMARY All three patients had portal hypertension and already had a primary Viatorr~?TIPS placed previously.All patients have undergone failed endoscopy to manage acute variceal bleeding before referral for a parallel stent(PS).PS were placed in patients presenting with recurrent variceal bleeding despite existence of a widely patent primary TIPS.Primary stent patency was verified with either Doppler ultrasound or intra-procedural TIPS stent venography.Doppler ultrasound follow-up imaging demonstrated complete patency of both primary and parallel TIPS.All three patients did well on clinical follow-up of up to six months and no major complications were recorded.A review of existing literature on the role of PS in the management of portal hypertension complications is discussed.There are three case reports of use of primary and PS Viatorr~? stents placement,only one of which is in a patient with gastrointestinal variceal bleeding despite a patent primary Viatorr~? TIPS.CONCLUSION Viatorr~? PS placement in the management of variceal hemorrhage is feasible with promising short term patency and clinical follow-up data.

Effect of VIATORR stent in early ultrasound evaluation after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS): A case report

Shunt dysfunction is a major complication of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS). Ultrasonography is a preferred method of shunt follow-up after TIPS, but some misjudgments can occur in cases of shunt dysfunction due to peculiarities of the VIATORR stent. Here we report one case and suggest that the first ultrasound evaluation for patients who received TIPS procedure with VIATORR stent should be performed one month after the procedure.

Stent fracture after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement using the bare metal stent/stent-graft combination technique

BACKGROUND A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is widely placed to treat portal hypertension.Because the Viatorr®stent(W.L.Gore and Associates,Flagstaff,AZ,United States)is not available in all hospitals in China,the bare metal stent(BMS)/stent-graft combination technique is still popular for TIPS construction.Stent fracture is a complication after TIPS placement using this technique,with limited available literature focusing on it.AIM To assess the incidence of stent fracture after TIPS placement using the BMS/stent-graft combination technique and to identify the risk factors for stent fracture.We proposed technique modifications to improve the clinical results of TIPS placement with the BMS/stent-graft combination technique.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the computed tomography(CT)data of all patients with portal hypertension who underwent the TIPS procedure between June 2011 and December 2021 in a single center.Patients implanted with the BMS/stent graft and had follow-up imaging data available were included.We identified patients with stent fracture and analyzed their characteristics.Multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify the potential predictors of stent fracture.RESULTS Of the 68 included patients,stent fracture occurred in seven(10.3%)patients.Based on CT images,the stent fractures were categorized into three types.Our study consisted of four(57.1%)type I fractures,one(14.3%)type II fracture,one(14.3%)type IIIa fracture,and one(14.3%)type IIIb fracture.After adjusting for covariates,multivariable logistic regression revealed that the risk factors for stent fracture were the implantation of a greater number of stents[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=22.2,95%confidence interval(CI):1.2-415.4,P=0.038]and a larger proximal sagittal stent bending angle(aOR=1.1,95%CI:1.0-1.3,P=0.020).CONCLUSION Stent fracture occurred in approximately 10%of patients with portal hypertension who underwent TIPS with the BMS/stent-graft combination technique.The number of implanted stents and stent bending angle at the inferior vena cava end were predictors of stent fracture,which suggests that the incidence of stent fracture could potentially be reduced by procedural modifications.

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.

Thirty years' transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent‐shunt (TIPS) in China: Opportunities and challenges

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent‐shunt(TIPS)was first reported in 1989 as a nonsurgical percutaneous method for treating patients suffering from severe end‐stage portal hypertension symptoms with Child's stage C metabolic status at Freiburg University Hospital in Germany.1 Since then,TIPS has become a unique percutaneous technique for treating portal hypertension,and it has spread throughout the world.In the early 1990s,medical standards in China lagged far behind Western countries,and interventional radiology(IR)depended heavily on imported medical instruments.During that period,IR doctors and scientists who received training abroad came back to China and began to use stenting techniques at a time when imported stent products were extremely scarce.Dr.Ke Xu,who received IR training in Japan in the late 1980s,treated a male patient with cirrhosis combined with repeated hematemesis with TIPS in the First Hospital of China Medical University in June 1992,which was certified the first case of TIPS in China(Figure 1A).

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Stent Shunts

The authors studied the clinical and procedural results of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunts (TIPSS) procedures in 16 patients,of whom 13 were male,3 were female with mean age of 48 years(range 24-66).

TRANSJUGULAR INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC STENT SHUNTS PRELIMINARY RESULTS IN 18 PATIENTS

In 18 consecutive patients receiving the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunts (TIPSS), 15 were male and 3 female. The patients aged from 34 to 66 years had liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and esophageal varices. Twelve had recurrent bleedings from raptured gastroesophageal varices. Shunts were established in 16 of the 18 patients and no operative death was noted. Portal vein pressure was reduced from 3.98± 0.24 kPa before shunting to 2.40±0.16 kPa after shunting. Doppler ultrasound examination revealed that the maximum blood flow velocity in the main portal vein increased from 14.0±4.5 cm / sec to 48.0±16.5 cm / sec. The mean follow-up time in the successful cases was 4.5 months (range 2-8 months). The shunt patency was determined with color Doppler ultrasound in 15 patients: occlusion in one and no accites in 4. Varices disappeared in 8 patients and became less evident in 7. No patients had recurrence of varices bleeding or encephalopathy during follow-up. The results suggest that TIPSS is a safe and effective method for portal decompression in the treatment of variceal hemorrhage, and that portal vein puncture is largely dependent on understanding the three-dimensional relationships between hepatic and portal veins. To achieve an adequate portal decompression, we recommend that a stent of 12 mm in diameter be used in severe cases.

Stent-grafts for the treatment of TIPS dysfunction:Fluency stent vs Wallgraft stent

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of an expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene-covered Fluency stent compared with that of a polyethylene terephthalate-covered Wallgraft stent for the management of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)dysfunction.METHODS:A retrospective review of patients who underwent TIPS revision with stent-grafts between May 2007 and June 2011 was conducted.The patients were divided into two groups according to the stentgrafts implanted:the Fluency stent(Bard Incorporated,Karlsruhe,Germany)and the Wallgraft stent(Boston Scientific,Galway,Ireland).The primary patency rates were calculated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method.RESULTS:A total of 73 patients were evaluated in this study:33 with Fluency stents and 40 with Wallgraft stents.The primary patency rates at 12 and 24 mo were 91% and 85%,respectively,in the Fluency stent group and 78% and 63%,respectively,in the Wallgraft stent group.The primary shunt patency rates after TIPS revision were significantly better with the Fluency stent than with the Wallgraft stent(P = 0.033).CONCLUSION:TIPS revision with the Fluency stent has higher medium-term patency rates than that with the Wallgraft stent.

可控直径TIPS覆膜支架系统的研究进展

目前学术界对于经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术(TIPS)中支架的最佳直径没有给出统一意见。2021年北美肝脏疾病诊疗促进联盟推荐在TIPS中使用可控直径TIPS覆膜支架系统,该系统直径可以在8~10 mm之间调节并能保持长期稳定,具有精确调控门静脉压力梯度,优化血流动力学目标,保护肝脏血流灌注,减少分流相关并发症等优点,有较高的临床应用前景。本文结合相关文献对可控直径TIPS覆膜支架系统的研究进展作一综述,旨在更好地帮助相关领域临床工作者了解此项新技术。

TIPSS术使用组合支架与Viatorr支架治疗肝硬化并发门静脉高压症患者长期疗效比较

目的探讨经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术(TIPSS)中使用组合支架与Viatorr支架的长期疗效。方法2013年7月~2022年8月新疆医科大学第一附属医院介入治疗中心诊治的肝硬化并发门静脉高压症患者51例,均接受TIPSS术治疗,其中使用组合支架29例,使用Viatorr支架22例。术后随访5年。使用影像学检查肝内分流道通畅情况,应用Kaplan-Meler法分析比较两组分流道累积通畅率和生存率。结果使用Viatorr支架手术花费为73282.9(68190.6,81242.2)元,显著高于使用组合支架【61912.7(53713.6,67530.3)元,P<0.05】;第一年、二年、三年、四年和五年,Viatorr支架组肝内分流道累积通畅率分别为90.9%、77.3%、72.7%、71.4%和68.4%,组合支架组分别为86.7%、80.0%、76.7%、73.3%和70.0%,两组无统计学差异(P>0.05);Viatorr支架组累计生存率分别为95.5%、77.3%、72.7%、68.2%和59.1%,组合支架组分别为93.3%、86.7%、83.3%、83.3%和79.9%,两组无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论本组资料显示,在行TIPSS手术时使用组合支架或Viatorr支架均可获得较好的临床效果,可根据供给情况选择使用。

PKHD1基因突变致先天性肝纤维化1例并文献复习

目的探讨多囊肾/多囊肝病变1(PKHD1)基因突变致先天性肝纤维化(CHF)的临床特征、病理特点、基因突变位点及诊疗方法,旨在为临床诊疗此病提供参考。方法回顾性分析1例PKHD1基因突变致CHF患者的临床诊治过程,并对相关文献进行复习。结果患者以急性上消化道出血起病,通过影像学、组织学和遗传学检查诊断为CHF,基因检测显示PKHD1基因存在双重杂合突变(c.7445G>A及c.7769T>G);经内镜、介入、药物等治疗,患者病情好转后出院,随访到发病后1年,未见复发。结论CHF较为罕见,容易被误诊或漏诊,确诊主要依靠病理组织学形态,患者有消化道出血,且肝功能正常或轻度异常时需考虑PKHD1基因致CHF的可能,基因检测技术有助于该病的早期诊断。

彩色多普勒超声评估肝硬化门静脉高压症患者TIPS术后支架功能研究

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声评估肝硬化并发门静脉高压症(PH)患者在接受经颈静脉肝内门体分流术(TIPS)术后支架功能的价值。方法2020年1月~2022年12月我院诊治的136例肝硬化患者,经检测肝静脉压力梯度(HVPG)诊断PH,使用彩色多普勒超声测量门静脉血流速度(Vpv)、门静脉内径(Dpv)和门静脉血流量(Qpv),应用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估门静脉血流动力学指标联合诊断肝硬化并发PH的效能。常规行TIPS术,使用数字减影血管造影(DSA)和超声评估支架功能。结果在本组136例肝硬化患者中,经HVPG检测,发现PH者62例(45.6%),对其中52例行TIPS术;肝硬化并发PH患者Vpv为(13.1±2.3)cm/s,显著低于肝硬化非PH者【(15.9±3.2)cm/s,P<0.05】,而Dpv和Qpv分别为(1.3±0.3)cm和(626.8±106.8)mL/min,均显著高于肝硬化非PH者【分别为(1.1±0.2)cm和(499.9±97.2)mL/min,P<0.05】,在TIPS术后,PH组门脉指标恢复,与肝硬化非PH者比,无显著性差异【分别为(16.2±2.5)cm/s、(1.1±0.2)cm和(502.1±99.4)mL/min,P<0.05】;ROC曲线分析显示,Vpv、Dpv和Qpv联合诊断肝硬化并发PH的AUC为0.902(95%CI:0.849~0.955,P<0.05),其敏感度为79.0%,特异度为83.8%;52例接受TIPS治疗患者术后1年随访,经DSA检查发现8例(15.4%)存在支架功能障碍,彩色多普勒超声诊断支架功能障碍与DSA诊断的一致性较强(Kappa=0.680,P<0.05),其敏感度为87.5%,特异度为90.9%,准确率为90.4%。结论彩色多普勒超声检查评估TIPS术后支架功能具有良好的临床应用价值。

Fluency覆膜支架行TIPS术后支架狭窄原因分析

目的分析Fluency覆膜支架行经颈静脉肝内门体分流术（TIPS）后支架狭窄发生原因,探讨术中支架最佳释放位置,以进一步提高临床疗效。方法收集2008年6月至2012年6月采用Fluency覆膜支架行TIPS治疗的肝硬化门静脉高压症患者124例,术中均仅接受1枚Fluency覆膜支架,且支架直径均为8 mm。术后3、6个月,1、2、3、4、5年定期随访行超声及多层螺旋CT检查,根据分流道狭窄诊断标准评估是否存在支架功能障碍及门静脉高压复发,必要时行直接门静脉造影,球囊扩张或支架植入修复分流道。结果 124例患者手术成功率为100%,术后门静脉内径和门静脉压力均显著降低。随访期间共有35例患者（28.23%）发生支架狭窄,其中22例为肝静脉端狭窄,12例为门静脉端狭窄,1例为支架完全闭塞;经门静脉右支分流术后支架狭窄发生率为35.62%（26/73）,经门静脉左支分流术后支架狭窄发生率为17.65%（9/51）,两者间差异有统计学意义（P=0.029）。结论 Fluency覆膜支架行TIPS术后支架狭窄多发生在支架两端,与分流道位置选择、支架长度、支架成角角度、释放位置等因素相关,高发时间窗为术后6-24个月。选择门静脉左支分流、最合适支架尺寸并精准释放,可降低术后支架狭窄发生率。