Prognostic value of hepatocyte proliferative activity after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

OBJECTIVES: Previous data indicated that the proliferating cell nuclear ant igen-labeling index (PCNA-LI) reflects the liver functional reserve in huma n liver cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the hepatocyte prol iferative activity as a marker for the outcome of patients after transjugul ar intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients were electively treated with TIP S for recurrent variceal bleeding (n = 14), refractory ascites (n = 12), or hydrothorax (n = 2). PCNA immunostaining was analyzed on methanol-fixed, p araffin-embedded liver biopsies. RESULTS: After TIPS, six patients died within the first 3 months, eight oth er patients died later, two were transplanted, and 12 were alive at the tim e of analysis. Early death occurred in patients with refractory ascites (5/ 12) and/or in Child C patients (3/6). Among the evaluated variables, there was a statistical trend for the PCNA-LI to be lower in patients who died ea rly after TIPS than in those having long term survival (1.55% vs 2.65%, p = 0.07). After TIPS insertion, the probability of remaining alive during the first 6 months of follow-up was significantly higher in patients with a pr eprocedural PCNA-LI > 2.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The PCNA-LI measured on liver biopsy before the TIPS procedure might be a pre-TIPS marker to discriminate those patients for whom TIPS is likely to be beneficial. (C) 2001 by Am. Cell. of Gastroenterology.