Clotting activation after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt

Background and Aim. Aim of the study was to investigate the behaviour of cl otting system in peripheral circulation of cirrhotic patients undergoing tr ansjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS). Methods. Clotting variables and endotoxemia were measured 48 h and 30 days after TIPS in pat ients randomised to receive heparin or not. Results. Forty-eight hours afte r TIPS, a significant increase of prothrombin fragment F1+2 was observed; s uch increase was less evident in patients given heparin. Similar findings w ere observed fbr endotoxemia, which, however, was not affected by heparin t reatment. Thirty days after TIPS procedure prothrombin fragment F1+2 and en dotoxemia returned to baseline values independently of the treatment given. Conclusion. This study shows that TIPS is associated with an increase of c lotting activation which might contribute to acute thrombosis observed afte r this procedure.