Xuefeng Luo

Is Post-TIPS Anticoagulation Therapy Necessary in Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Vein Thrombosis? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose To determine whether posttransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement anticoagulation therapy could benefit patients with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) from the perspective of a change in portal vein patency status and clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods The study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from each patient. From October 2012 to February 2014, patients with cirrhosis and PVT who underwent TIPS placement were randomly assigned to the anticoagulation therapy or control group. All patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the TIPS procedure. Outcome measures were a change of portal vein patency status and clinical measures including gastrointestinal rebleeding, shunt dysfunction, hepatic encephalopathy, and survival. Student t test, χ(2) test, Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistical regression were applied where appropriate. Results A total of 64 patients were enrolled in the study, with 31 allocated to the anticoagulation group and 33 allocated to the control group. Overall, thrombi were improved in 61 patients (96.8%) after the procedure. PVT recanalization (ie, complete disappearance; reconstruction of cavernous transformation) was achieved in 26 patients (83.9%) in the anticoagulation therapy group and in 23 (71.8%) patients in tthe control group (P = .252). The presence of a superior mesenteric vein thrombus may help predict recanalization failure (unadjusted relative risk = 0.243; 95% confidence interval: 0.070, 0.843; P = .026). Clinical outcomes were also similar between the two groups. Conclusion Anticoagulation therapy may not be necessary in certain patients with PVT because TIPS placement alone can achieve a high persistent recanalization rate. (©) RSNA, 2015.

Advanced Cirrhosis Combined with Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Randomized Trial of TIPS versus Endoscopic Band Ligation Plus Propranolol for the Prevention of Recurrent Esophageal Variceal Bleeding

PURPOSE To compare transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement with or without variceal embolization with endoscopic band ligation (EBL) plus propranolol in preventing recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present randomized controlled trial was approved by the ethics committee board of West China Hospital. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient. Between January 2010 and December 2012, 73 patients were randomly allocated to receive TIPS (n = 37) or EBL plus propranolol (n = 36). The comparisons of recurrent variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, and survival rates were based on the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS The mean follow-up time was 22.8 months ± 7.7(standard deviation) in the TIPS group and 20.9 months ± 8.9 in the EBL group. The 2-year probability of remaining free of recurrent variceal bleeding was higher in the TIPS group (77.8%) than in the EBL group (42.9%) (P = .002). Overall recanalization was achieved in 24 (64.9%) patients from the TIPS group and seven (19.4%) patients from the EBL group. The hepatic encephalopathy rates exhibited no significant differences between the two groups (P = .53). The 1- and 2-year probability of survival was 86.5% and 72.9%, respectively, in the TIPS group and 83.3% and 57.2%, respectively, in the EBL group, with no significant difference (P = .23). CONCLUSION TIPS was more effective than EBL plus propranolol in preventing recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis and did not increase the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy. Survival was similar in both groups.

Ileal conduit stomal variceal bleeding managed by endovascular embolization

Ileal conduit stomal varices are rare, and may result in bleeding. The standard treatment modality for management of this type of hemorrhage has not been established. We present the case of a 70-year-old woman with progressive ileal conduit stomal variceal bleeding which was successfully managed by endovascular embolization via the transjugular transhepatic approach. In conclusion, transjugular transhepatic endovascular embolization is a good choice in patients with ileal conduit stomal variceal bleeding who have failed conservative therapy.

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 stent-grafts 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.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for the Treatment of Portal Hypertension in Noncirrhotic Patients with Portal Cavernoma

Background. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement in the management of portal hypertension in noncirrhotic patients with portal cavernoma. Methods. We conducted a single institution retrospective analysis of 15 noncirrhotic patients with portal cavernoma treated with TIPS placement. 15 patients (4 women and 11 men) were evaluated via the technical success of TIPS placement, procedural complications, and follow-up shunt patency. Results. TIPS placement was technically successful in 11 out of 15 patients (73.3%). Procedure-related complications were limited to a single instance of hepatic encephalopathy in one patient. In patients with successful shunt placement, the portal pressure gradient decreased from 25.8 ± 5.7 to 9.5 ± 4.2 mmHg (P < 0.001). TIPS dysfunction occurred in two patients during a median follow-up time of 45.2 months. Revision was not performed in one patient due to inadequate inflow. The other patient died of massive gastrointestinal bleeding in a local hospital. The remaining nine patients maintained functioning shunts through their last evaluation. Conclusions. TIPS is a safe and effective therapeutic treatment for noncirrhotic patients with symptomatic portal hypertension secondary to portal cavernoma.

Repeated transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is safe for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

PURPOSE We aimed to investigate the safety and long-term outcomes of repeated transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in cirrhotic patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). METHODS Data of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, who had previous TIPS implantation and received TACE between January 2010 and December 2012, were reviewed retrospectively. The primary outcome measure was liver function, which was represented by model for end-stage liver disease score, Child-Pugh-Turcotte score, serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Changes in liver function before and after the initial TACE procedure and hepatobiliary severe adverse events (SAEs) were compared. Liver function following the initial TACE session was compared with that obtained in later TACE sessions. The secondary outcome measures were tumor response to multiple TACE sessions and survival. RESULTS Seventeen patients underwent at least two TACE sessions, while nine patients underwent at least three sessions during the follow-up period. There was no statistically significant difference between the liver function tests performed before and one-month after the TACE procedure. Grade 3 or 4 SAEs occurred in six (31.6 %) patients within one month. The one, two-, and three-year survival rates were 88%, 53%, and 32%, respectively. Tumor response of multiple TACE sessions was the only predictive risk factor of mortality (OR=4.40; P = 0.030; 95% CI, 1.15-16.85). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that repeated TACE is safe in selected patients with TIPS.

Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by extrahepatic arterioportal fistula associated with portal vein thrombosis

An extrahepatic arterioportal fistula (APF) involving the gastroduodenal artery and superior mesenteric vein is rare and mostly results from iatrogenic injuries. The clinical symptoms associated with APFs may include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or even congestive heart failure. We present the case of a 70-year-old man who presented with chronic abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to APF and portal vein thrombosis. The endovascular embolization of APF was accomplished successfully, and symptoms of portal hypertension resolved immediately after intervention. Unfortunately, the patient did not respond well to anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. Therefore, the patient underwent implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and the complications of portal hypertension resolved. In conclusion, the embolization of APF is technically feasible and effective and can be considered the first-choice therapy in selected patients.

Real-Time 3D CT Image Guidance for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation Using Preoperative CT: A Prospective Feasibility Study of 20 Patients

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of real-time 3D CT image guidance during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Between October 2013 and December 2013, a total of 20 patients were prospectively enrolled in the present study. Previously acquired portal venous phase CT datasets and intraoperative CT datasets were registered on a dedicated workstation. We accomplished semiautomatic registration for the datasets of 11 of 20 patients (55%), and we performed manual registration for the datasets of the remaining nine patients. The selected volume of interest of the CT image showing the portal vein vasculature was overlaid onto the fluoroscopic display to provide real-time 3D CT image guidance during the procedure. RESULTS For all 20 patients, TIPS procedures were successfully performed by the same operator. The mean (± SD) number of needle passes required for portal vein entry was 1.8 ± 1.1 passes (range, 1-5 passes). The mean duration of radiographic fluoroscopy was 3.5 ± 1.1 minutes for portal vein entry and 11.4 ± 2.1 minutes for the whole procedure. The mean radiation dose used for the whole TIPS procedure was 295.5 ± 66.6 Gy · cm2. No major technical complications were observed. CONCLUSION Real-time 3D guidance with the use of preoperative CT is feasible, safe, and effective for assisting in the creation of TIPS. This approach may result in a shorter procedural time and less radiation exposure. However, future studies are required to compare this method with other mapping techniques.

Direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt creation via the inter-strut space of the inferior vena cava stent.

Direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt creation via the inter-strut space of the inferior vena cava stent J. Tsauo , Y. Yu , X. Luo , Z. Wang , L. Liu , X. Li a,b,c,* a Institute of Interventional Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China

Parallel Shunt for the Treatment of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Dysfunction

Objective To investigate the safety, efficacy and long-term patency of parallel shunts (PS) in the management of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) dysfunction. Materials and Methods Between March 2007 and October 2010, 18 patients (13 men and 5 women) who underwent TIPS revision with the creation of PS were evaluated retrospectively. In the first 10 patients, a 10-mm-diameter Wallgraft endoprosthesis was deployed; in the latter 8 patients, an 8-mm-diameter Fluency endoprosthesis was deployed. Results The creation of PS was technically successful in all patients. The mean ± standard deviation portosystemic pressure gradient before and after the procedure was 25.5 ± 7.3 mm Hg (range, 16-37 mm Hg) and 10.9 ± 2.3 mm Hg (range, 7-16 mm Hg), respectively. The duration of follow-up was 16.7 ± 10.8 months (range, 6-42 months). The primary shunt patency rates at 12 months after the creation of PS was 70% with Wallgraft endoprostheses and 87.5% with Fluency endoprostheses. Conclusion TIPS revision with the creation of PS is a safe, effective and durable method for treating shunt dysfunction.