Project description:Background and aimEarly transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) used as preventive therapy prior to recurrent bleeding has been recommended in patients presenting with acute esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) who are at high risk of further bleeding and death. We investigated the impact of early TIPS on outcomes of US patients hospitalized with EVB from 2000 to 2010.MethodsThe Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried to identify patients with EVB and decompensated cirrhosis (because early TIPS is recommended only in high-risk patients). The primary outcome was in-hospital death, and secondary outcomes included rebleeding and hepatic encephalopathy. Early preventive TIPS was defined by placement within 3 days of hospitalization for acute EVB after one session of endoscopic therapy. Rescue TIPS was defined as TIPS after two interventions for EVB.ResultsThe study included 142 539 patients. From 2000 to 2010, the age-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate decreased 37.2% from 656 per 100 000 to 412 per 100 000 (P <0.01), while early and rescue TIPS increased (0.22% to 0.70%; P < 0.01 and 1.1% to 6.1%; P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, as compared with no TIPS, early TIPS was associated with decreased inpatient mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.90) and rebleeding (RR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.45-0.71) without an increase in hepatic encephalopathy (RR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.93-1.11).ConclusionEarly preventive TIPS in patients with EVB and decompensated cirrhosis was associated with significant in-hospital reductions in rebleeding and mortality without a significant increase in encephalopathy in "real-world" US clinical practice.
Project description:Background and aimsTransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) are used in patients with cirrhosis for the prevention of variceal rebleeding.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated re-bleeding rate, patency, mortality, and transplant-free survival (TFS) in cirrhotic patients receiving TIPS implantation for variceal bleeding between 1994-2014.Results286 patients received TIPS (n = 119 bare metal stents, n = 167 polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE)-covered stents) for prevention of variceal re-bleeding. Mean age was 55.1 years, median MELD was 11.8, and the main etiology of cirrhosis was alcoholic liver disease (70%). Median follow-up was 821 days. 67 patients (23%) experienced at least one re-bleeding event. Patients with PTFE-TIPS were at significantly lower risk for variceal re-bleeding than patients with bare metal stents (14% vs. 37%, OR:0.259; p<0.001) and had less need for stent revision (21% vs. 37%; p = 0.024). Patients with PTFE stent grafts showed lower mortality than patients with bare stents after 1 year (19% vs. 31%, p = 0.020) and 2 years (29% vs. 40%; p = 0.041) after TIPS implantation. Occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS was similar between groups (20% vs. 24%, p = 0.449).ConclusionsPTFE-TIPS were more effective at preventing variceal re-bleeding than bare metal stents due to better patency. Since this tended to translate in improved survival, only covered stents should be implemented for bleeding prophylaxis when TIPS is indicated.
Project description:Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion has been well established as an effective treatment in the management of sequelae of portal hypertension. There are a wide variety of complications that can be encountered, such as hemorrhage, encephalopathy, TIPS dysfunction, and liver failure. This review article summarizes various approaches to preventing and managing these complications.
Project description:BACKGROUND & AIMS:The management of patients with refractory ascites (RA) is challenging, particularly at higher age. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an established treatment for RA, but safety data in elderly patients are rare. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of TIPS in elderly patients with RA. METHODS:Overall, 160 consecutive cirrhotic patients receiving a TIPS for RA at Hannover Medical School between 2012 and 2018 were considered for this retrospective analysis. Periinterventional complications such as acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) as well as survival were compared between patients <65 and ?65 years. Propensity score matching was conducted to match elderly TIPS patients and patients treated with paracentesis. RESULTS:A number of 53 out of the 160 patients were ?65 years (33%). Periinterventional course in those ?65 years appeared to be slightly more complicated than in <65 years as reflected by a significantly longer hospital stay (p = 0.030) and more ACLF-episodes (21% vs. 9%; p = 0.044). 28-day mortality was similar between both groups (p = 0.350), whereas survival of the younger patients was significantly higher at 90 days (p = 0.029) and numerically higher at 1 year (p = 0.171). In the multivariate analysis age ?65 years remained an independent predictor for 90-day mortality (HR: 2.58; p = 0.028), while it was not associated with 28-day and 1-year survival. Importantly, after matching for potential confounders 1-year survival was similar in elderly patients if treated with TIPS or paracentesis (p = 0.419). CONCLUSIONS:TIPS placement in elderly patients with RA appears to be slightly more complicated compared to younger individuals, but overall feasible and at least not inferior to paracentesis.
Project description:BackgroundTreatment of refractory ascites in liver cirrhosis is challenging. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and alfapump® have been proposed for the management, but few data comparing both exist.AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and alfapump® for refractory ascites at our centre.MethodsAll consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed for baseline characteristics, efficacy of treatment, complications and survival.ResultsIn total, 19 patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and 40 patients with alfapump® were included. Patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt had better liver function and less hepatic encephalopathy at baseline. Fifty-eight per cent of patients developed hepatic encephalopathy in the first six months after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. In patients with alfapump®, renal function decreased and 58% developed prerenal impairment and 43% hepatorenal syndrome in the first six months. Alfapump® patients with new catheters required less reinterventions (26% versus 57% with old catheters, p = 0.049). Transplant-free survival at 1 year was 25% in alfapump® and 65% in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Hepatic encephalopathy predicted transplant-free survival in patients with alfapump® (hazard ratio 2.00, 95% confidence interval 0.99-4.02, p = 0.05). In a sensitivity analysis comparing patients with similar liver function, the rate of hepatorenal syndrome and prerenal impairment was higher in patients with alfapump® and these patients were hospitalised more frequently, whereas the rate of hepatic encephalopathy was similar in both treatment groups.ConclusionsBoth transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and alfapump® were effective treatments for refractory ascites in cirrhosis. Patients treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt had a better one-year transplant-free survival but had less negative prognostic factors at baseline. Selecting patients without hepatic encephalopathy prior to implantation of an alfapump® might improve transplant-free survival.
Project description:BACKGROUND: A portosystemic stent shunt may impair cardiac function and haemodynamics. AIMS: To investigate the effects of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on cardiac function and pulmonary and systemic circulation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. PATIENTS/METHODS: 17 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and recent variceal bleeding were evaluated by echocardiography and catheterisation of the splanchnic and pulmonary circulation before and after TIPS. The period of catheter measurement was extended to nine hours in nine of the patients. The portal vein was investigated by Doppler ultrasound before and nine hours after TIPS. RESULTS: Baseline echocardiography showed the left atrial diameter to be slightly increased and the left ventricular volume to be in the upper normal range. Nine hours after TIPS, the left atrial diameter and left ventricular end diastolic volume were increased (by 6% (p<0.01) and 7% (p<0.01) respectively); end systolic volume had not changed significantly. Invasive measurements showed a sharp increase in right atrial pressure (by 101%; p<0.01), mean pulmonary artery pressure (by 92%; p<0.01), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (by 111%; p<0.01), and cardiac output (8.1 (1.6) to 11.9 (2.4) l/min; p<0.01). Systemic vascular resistance decreased (824 (242) to 600 (265) dyn.s.cm-5 p<0.01), and total pulmonary resistance increased (140 (58.5) to 188 (69.5) dyn.s.cm-5; p<0.05). Total pulmonary resistance (12%; NS), cardiac output (1.4 l/min; p<0. 05), and portal vein blood flow (1.4 l/min; p<0.05) remained elevated for nine hours after TIPS in the subgroup. Portoatrial pressure gradient (43%; p<0.05), portohepatic vascular resistance (72%; p<0.05), and systemic vascular resistance (27%; p<0.01) were consistently reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the left atrial diameter, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and total pulmonary resistance observed after the TIPS procedure reflected diastolic dysfunction of the hyperdynamic left ventricle in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. The haemodynamic effects of the portosystemic stent shunt itself on the splanchnic circulation seem to be mainly responsible for the further decrease in systemic vascular resistance. TIPS may unmask a coexisting preclinical cardiomyopathy in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
Project description:The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure is effective in achieving portal decompression and in managing some of the major complications of portal hypertension. While many clinicians are familiar with the two most common indications for TIPS placement, secondary prophylaxis of esophageal variceal hemorrhage and treatment of refractory ascites, evidence for its usefulness is growing in other entities, where it has been less extensively studied but demonstrates promising results. Newer indications include early utilization in the treatment of esophageal variceal hemorrhage, Budd-Chiari syndrome, ectopic varices, and portal vein thrombosis. The referring clinician and interventionist must remain cognizant of the contraindications to the procedure to avoid complications and potential harm to the patient. This review is designed to provide an in-depth analysis of the most common as well as less typical indications for TIPS placement, and to discuss the contraindications and appropriate patient evaluation for this procedure.
Project description:Current clinical guidelines by both American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and European Association for the Study of the Liver recommend endoscopy in all patients admitted with acute variceal bleeding within 12 hours of admission. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation may be considered in patients at high risk if hemorrhage cannot be controlled endoscopically. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study to assess how frequently TIPS is created for acute variceal bleeding in the United States without preceding endoscopy. Adult patients undergoing TIPS creation for acute variceal bleeding in the United States (n = 6,297) were identified in the last 10 available years (2007-2016) of the National Inpatient Sample. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between endoscopy nonutilization and hospital characteristics, controlling for patient demographics, income level, insurance type, and disease severity. Of 6,297 discharges following TIPS creation for acute variceal bleeding in the United States, 31% (n = 1,924) did not receive first-line endoscopy during the same encounter. Rates of "no endoscopy" decreased with increasing population density of the hospital county (nonmicropolitan counties 43%, n = 114; mid-size metropolitan county 35%, n = 513; and central county with >1 million population 23%, n = 527) but not by hospital teaching status (n = 1,465, 32% teaching vs. n = 430, 26% nonteaching; P = 0.10). Higher disease mortality risk (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.80; P = 0.02) was associated with lower odds of noncompliance. Conclusion: One third of all patients undergoing TIPS creation for acute variceal bleeding in the United States do not receive first-line endoscopy during the same encounter. Patients admitted to urban hospitals are more likely to receive guideline-concordant care.
Project description:Patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites have physiologic and hormonal dysregulation that contributes to decreased kidney function. Placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) can reverse these changes and potentially improve kidney function. We sought to evaluate change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) following TIPS placement.Retrospective, matched cohort analysis.Patients who underwent first-time TIPS placement for refractory ascites in 1995 to 2014. Frequency matching was used to generate a comparator group of patients with cirrhosis and ascites treated with serial large-volume paracentesis (LVP) in a 1:1 fashion.TIPS placement compared to serial LVP.Change in eGFR over 90 days' follow-up.Multivariable regression stratified by baseline eGFR<60 versus ?60mL/min/1.73m(2); analysis of effect modification between TIPS placement and baseline eGFR.276 participants (TIPS, n=138; serial LVP, n=138) were analyzed. After 90 days, eGFRs increased significantly after TIPS placement in participants with baseline eGFRs<60mL/min/1.73m(2) compared to treatment with serial LVP (21 [95% CI, 13-29] mL/min/1.73m(2); P<0.001) and was no different in those with eGFRs?60mL/min/1.73m(2) (1 [95% CI, -9 to 12] mL/min/1.73m(2); P=0.8). There was significant effect modification between TIPS status and baseline eGFR (P=0.001) in a model that included all participants.Outcomes restricted by clinically recorded data; clinically important differences may still exist between the TIPS and LVP cohorts despite good statistical matching.TIPS placement was associated with significant improvement in kidney function. This was most prominent in participants with baseline eGFRs<60mL/min/1.73m(2). Prospective studies of TIPS use in populations with eGFRs<60mL/min/1.73m(2) are needed to evaluate these findings.
Project description:ObjectivesTransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective intervention for portal hypertensive complications. Little is known about the ability of spleen stiffness (SS) for predicting the survival of cirrhotic patients undergoing TIPS. This study is to evaluate the influence of SS detected by point shear wave elastography (pSWE) in predicting survival after TIPS.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study screened consecutive patients who underwent TIPS and reliable pSWE measurement between October 2014 and September 2017 from our prospectively maintained database. SS values were measured before TIPS. The primary endpoint was the overall survival after TIPS. The Cox regression analysis model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.ResultsA total of 89 patients were involved in the final analysis. 24 patients (27.0%) died during a median follow-up time of 31 m. Multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed that higher SS value (P < 0.001), LS value (P = 0.008), diameter of shunt (P = 0.001), and older age (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of survival after TIPS. The risk of death rose 57.440-fold for each SS unit (m/s) increase. SS was also correlated with liver failure after TIPS. ROC analysis showed that the best SS cutoff value was 3.60 m/s for predicting survival, with a sensitivity of 54.2% and specificity of 90.8%.ConclusionsThe SS value determined by pSWE in cirrhotic patients was an independent predictive factor for survival after TIPS.