Aj. Echenagusia et al., VARICEAL HEMORRHAGE - EFFICACY OF TRANSJUGULAR INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS CREATED WITH STRECKER STENTS, Radiology, 192(1), 1994, pp. 235-240
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosy
stemic shunts (TIPS) in treatment of variceal hemorrhage. MATERIALS AN
D METHODS: Forty-five patients with cirrhosis underwent TIPS placement
for treatment of acute (n = 12) or recurrent (n = 33) variceal hemorr
hage. Shunts were created with Strecker stents. RESULTS: Shunts were e
stablished by deployment of stents in 42 patients. The portosystemic p
ressure gradient decreased from an average of 20.4 mm Hg +/- 5.4 to 9.
2 mm Hg +/- 4.1. Complications included hepatic failure (n = 1), acute
shunt thrombosis (n = 2), right jugular vein thrombosis (n = 1), bact
eremia (n = 1), and stent misplacement (n = 1). Acute bleeding was con
trolled in 12 patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 2%; four other p
atients have since died. During follow-up (mean, 8.9 months), variceal
bleeding recurred in six patients. Hepatic encephalopathy developed i
n six patients. Shunt stenosis or occlusion requiring further interven
tion occurred in 20 patients. CONCLUSION: TIPS are safe and effective
in treatment of variceal hemorrhage; however, secondary interventions
are often required to preserve shunt function.