DOES TRANSJUGULAR INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT (TIPS) RESOLVE THROMBOCYTOPENIA ASSOCIATED WITH CIRRHOSIS

Thrombocytopenia is frequently present in patients with cirrhosis. The effect of portal decompression on thrombocytopenia using a variety of shunt procedures has been contradictory. Transjugular intrahepatic po rtosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been proposed as a less invasive procedur e for portal decompression, mainly for control of variceal, bleeding o r intractable ascites. Its effect on thrombocytopenia has not been def ined yet. The aim of this review is to define the effect of TIPS on pa tients with cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia. Sixty-two patients who und erwent TIPS at the University of Pittsburgh and survived without trans plant for more than two months were included. Platelet count was deter mined prior to TIPS as well as at one-week, one-month, and three-month intervals after TIPS. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia prior to TIP S was 49%. TIPS had no effect on thrombocytopenia even when the portos ystemic gradient was reduced to less than 12 mm Hg. In conclusion, por tal decompression after TIPS did not affect the degree of thrombocytop enia.