PORTAL-VEIN VELOCITIES MEASURED BY ULTRASOUND - USEFULNESS FOR EVALUATING SHUNT FUNCTIONING FOLLOWING TIPS PLACEMENT AND TIPS REVISION

Background: To assess the usefulness of following portal vein velociti es by Doppler ultrasound in evaluating shunt functioning after transhe patic intrajugular portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement and revision. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 39 patients who underwent a TIPS procedure in the preceding 4 years. Portal vein (PV) velocities were m easured by Doppler ultrasound before and after TIPS insertion and revi sion and were correlated with portosystemic gradients (PSG) measured a t angiography. Results: Mean PV velocities increased from 18 +/- 6 cm/ s before TIPS placement to 50 +/- 21 cm/s (p < 0.001) after TIPS place ment, with corresponding decrease of mean PSG from 20 +/- 6 to 8 +/- 3 mmHg (p < 0.001), Mean PV velocities significantly increased from 24 +/- 6 to 43 +/- 14 cm/s after TIPS revision (p < 0.02), with decrease of PSG from 17 +/- 6 to 9 +/- 5 mmHg (p < 0.05), A significant correla tion was found between all PV velocities and their corresponding PSG ( Spearman r < 0.61,p < 0.001). Conclusion: PV velocities significantly correlate with changes in PSG. Following portal vein velocities by ult rasound is useful for early evaluation of shunt functioning following TIPS.