Outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene covered stents in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension

Diagn Interv Radiol. 2022 May;28(3):239-243. doi: 10.5152/dir.2022.20812.

Abstract

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)- covered stents for the creation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in cir- rhotic patients with portal hypertension complicated by variceal bleeding and volume-overload. METHODS This retrospective study included 360 patients who had TIPS created between January 2004 and December 2017 using 12 mm diameter PTFE-covered stents. Demographic data, model for end- stage liver disease (MELD) score, etiology of cirrhosis, and Charlson comorbidity index were recorded. Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), variceal re-bleeding, improvement in vol- ume-overload, TIPS revisions and the need for intervention, and overall survival were assessed. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 56.8 ± 9.9 years, and the technical success rate was 99.4%. The rates of improvement of volume-overload post-TIPS were 59.5%, 69.8%, and 81.7% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. About 93.3% of patients were free from paracentesis or thoracentesis at 12 months. The rates of re-bleeding post-TIPS were 4%, 12%, and 12.9% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The rate of TIPS revision at 12 months was 6.5%. Percentage of patients with any symptoms of HE were 34.4%, 42.9%, and 49.5% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. All HE were appropriately medically managed and no patients required a TIPS reduction. CONCLUSION TIPS placement using 12 mm PTFE-covered stents is efficacious in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension complicated by variceal bleeding or refractory volume-overload, with an accept- able safety profile.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices* / complications
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices* / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal* / complications
  • Hypertension, Portal* / surgery
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene
  • Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic* / adverse effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stents / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Polytetrafluoroethylene