Explore the vast range of titles available.

ObjectiveLimited data are available on the prevention of variceal rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). This study aimed to compare transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with covered stents versus endoscopic band ligation (EBL) plus propranolol for the prevention of variceal rebleeding among patients with cirrhosis and PVT.DesignConsecutive cirrhotic patients (94% Child-Pugh class A or B) with PVT who had variceal bleeding in the past 6 weeks were randomly assigned to TIPS group (n=24) or EBL plus propranolol group (EBL+drug, n=25), respectively. Primary endpoint was variceal rebleeding. Secondary endpoints included survival, overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE), portal vein recanalisation and rethrombosis, other complications of portal hypertension and adverse events.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 30 months in both groups, variceal rebleeding was significantly less frequent in the TIPS group (15% vs 45% at 1 year and 25% vs 50% at 2 years, respectively; HR=0.28, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.76, p=0.008), with a significantly higher portal vein recanalisation rate (95% vs 70%; p=0.03) and a relatively lower rethrombosis rate (5% vs 33%; p=0.06) compared with the EBL+drug group. There were no statistically significant differences in survival (67% vs 84%; p=0.152), OHE (25% vs 16%; p=0.440), other complications of portal hypertension and adverse events between groups.ConclusionCovered TIPS placement in patients with PVT and moderately decompensated cirrhosis was more effective than EBL combined with propranolol for the prevention of rebleeding, with a higher probability of PVT resolution without increasing the risk of OHE and adverse effects, but this benefit did not translate into improved survival.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01326949.

We conducted a single-center randomized trial to compare the efficacy of 8 mm Fluency covered stent and bare stent in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for cirrhotic portal hypertension. From January 2006 to December 2010, the covered (experimental group) or bare stent (control group) was used in 131 and 127 patients, respectively. The recurrence rates of gastrointestinal bleeding (18.3% vs. 33.9%, P  = 0.004) and refractory hydrothorax/ascites (6.9% vs. 16.5%, P  = 0.019) in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The cumulative restenosis rates in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5-years in the experimental group (6.9%, 11.5%, 19.1%, 26.0% and 35.9%, respectively) were significantly lower ( P  < 0.001) than those in the control group (27.6%, 37.0%, 49.6%, 59.8%, 74.8%, respectively). Importantly, the 4 and 5-year survival rates in the experimental group (83.2% and 76.3%, respectively) were significantly higher ( P  = 0.001 and 0.02) than those in the control group (71.7% and 62.2%, respectively). The rate of secondary interventional therapy in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (20.6% vs. 49.6%; P  < 0.001). Therefore, Fluency covered stent has advantages over the bare stent in terms of reducing the restenosis, recurrence and secondary interventional therapy, whereas improving the long-term survival for post-TIPS patients.

Introduction Gastroesophageal varices (GOV) bleeding is a common and serious complication of advanced liver cirrhosis with a median survival of less than 2 years. Multiple guidelines have pointed out that transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is the rescue treatment of acute variceal hemorrhage (AVB) after failure of standard therapy and an effective second-line treatment for preventing patients with high risks from rebleeding of GOV. The safety and stability of TIPS have been greatly improved due to the improvements of related technologies and the emergence of various novel devices, but the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after shunting (10–50%) hindered the widespread use of TIPS. The target portal vein branch might affect the incidence of HE after TIPS. The aim of this study is to compare the rate of HE in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) related cirrhosis receiving TIPS either the left or right branch of the portal vein with 8mm Viatorr stent for preventing rebleeding from GOV. Methods and analysis This study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the influence of shunting left or right portal vein branch on post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy for preventing rebleeding from GOV in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis. A total of 130 patients will be recruited over a period of 24 months across 5 centers in China. Eligible patients will be stratified 1:1 to constructing either a left or right portal vein shunt with an 8-mm Viatorr stent. The primary objective was to compare the incidence of post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy between the two groups. The secondary objectives were to compare the grade and duration of hepatic encephalopathy, the rate of shunt dysfunction, the rate of variceal rebleeding, the HE-free survival, the cumulative patency rate of the stent, and the overall survival at 12 months and 24 months between two groups. Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the ethics committee of Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University (No. B2018-292R) and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03825848). All participants give written informed consent. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03825848. Registered on January 31, 2019 Trial status The first patient was recruited into our study on June 19, 2019. A total of 55 patients were recruited till May 27, 2021 (27 and 28 patients assigned to shunting the left (L Group) and right (R Group) branches of the portal vein, respectively).

These guidelines on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPSS) in the management of portal hypertension have been commissioned by the Clinical Services and Standards Committee (CSSC) of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) under the auspices of the Liver Section of the BSG. The guidelines are new and have been produced in collaboration with the British Society of Interventional Radiology (BSIR) and British Association of the Study of the Liver (BASL). The guidelines development group comprises elected members of the BSG Liver Section, representation from BASL, a nursing representative and two patient representatives. The quality of evidence and grading of recommendations was appraised using the GRADE system. These guidelines are aimed at healthcare professionals considering referring a patient for a TIPSS. They comprise the following subheadings: indications; patient selection; procedural details; complications; and research agenda. They are not designed to address: the management of the underlying liver disease; the role of TIPSS in children; or complex technical and procedural aspects of TIPSS.

Background： Balanced adjustment of the portal vein shunt volume during a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt （TIPS） is critical for maintaining liver perfusion and decreasing the incidence of liver insufficiency. A stent-graft is proved to be superior to a bare metal stent （BMS） for the construction of a TIPS. However, the clinical results of the combination application of stents and stent-grafts have not been determined. This study aimed to compare the technique of using a combination of stents and stent-grafts with using a single stent-graft to construct a TIPS. Methods： From April 2011 to November 2014, a total of fifty patients were randomly assigned to a stents-combination group （Group I, n = 28） or a stent-graft group （Group II, n - 22）. Primary patency rates were calculated. Clinical data, including the technical success rate, bleeding control results, incidence of encephalopathy, liver function preservation, and survival rate, were assessed. Results; Technically, the success rate was 100% for both groups. The primary patency rates at 1,2, and 3 years for Group I were 96%, 84%, and 77%, respectively; for Group II, they were 90%, 90%, and 78%, respectively. The survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years for Group I were 79%, 74%, and 68%, respectively; for Group II, they were 82%, 82%, and 74%, respectively. The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 14.3% for Group I and 13.6% for Group II. The Child-Pugh score in Group I was stable at the end of the follow-up but had significantly increased in Group II （t - -2.474, P = 0.022）. Conclusions： The construction of a TIPS with either the single stent-graft or BMS/stent-graft combination is effective for controlling variceal bleeding. The BMS/stent-graft combination technique is superior to the stent-graft technique in terms of hepatic function preservation indicated by the Child-Pugh score. However, considering the clinical results of the TIPS, the two techniques are comparable in their primary shunt patency, incidence of encephalopathy and patient survival during the long-term follow-up.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) represents a very effective treatment of complications of portal hypertension. Established indications to TIPS in cirrhotic patients include portal hypertensive bleeding and refractory ascites. Over the years additional indications have been proposed, such as the treatment of vascular disease of the liver, hepatic hydrothorax, hepatorenal syndrome and bleeding from ectopic varices. Indications under evaluation include treatment of portal hypertension prior to major abdominal surgery and treatment of portal vein thrombosis. In spite of these advances, there are still uncertainties regarding the appropriate workup for patients to be scheduled for TIPS. Moreover, prevention and management of post-TIPS complications including hepatic encephalopathy and heart failure are still suboptimal. These issues are particularly relevant considering aging in TIPS candidates in Western countries. Correct selection of patients is mandatory to prevent complications which may eventually frustrate the good hemodynamic results and worsen the patient’s quality of life or even life expectancy. The possible role of small diameter TIPS to prevent post-procedural complications is discussed.

Background and Aims Since the overwhelmingly positive results of the ‘early use of TIPS’ published in 2010, studies in Europe and Asia have confirmed early/pre-emptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (p-TIPS) in high-risk patients with acute variceal bleed (AVB) reduces treatment failure and mortality compared to standard of care (SOC). There are no studies evaluating p-TIPS in a US cohort. Methods A review of patients with cirrhosis from June 2010 to June 2020 with AVB was conducted from a single large US center. Results Of 745 cirrhotic patients with AVB, 18% met criteria for p-TIPS. Alcohol and HCV accounted for 75% of etiology; 13% MASLD. The mean MELD-Na score in our cohort was 24, which is ten points higher than reported in the literature for over 600 p-TIPS cases. Only 9 patients underwent p-TIPS. Patients undergoing p-TIPS were less likely to have MASLD, more likely to be female and less likely to have PSE at baseline. One-year mortality in the SOC group (including patients undergoing ‘rescue TIPS’) was 53% versus 0% for p-TIPS ( p  = 0.01). Conclusion Our observation suggests hesitancy among providers to recommend p-TIPS, likely due to concerns regarding a ‘sicker’ patient population. The current SOC in high-risk patients remain suboptimal. Limited data, including our own, suggest that p-TIPS may confer a survival benefit even in patients with high MELD. However, the recommendation of p-TIPS in such patients necessitates validation of its safety and efficacy. Consequently, we advocate for a RCT in the US to conclusively assess the utility of p-TIPS in this context. Until such evidence is established, it is likely that underutilization of this life-saving intervention will persist.

Purpose To identify clinical variables, including use of newer Viatorr TIPS endoprosthesis with controlled expansion (VCX) that may affect the occurrence and risk of hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. Methods A total of 376 patients who underwent TIPS creation at our institution between 2003 and 2018 were retrospectively identified. Of these patients, 71 received a Viatorr controlled expansion endoprosthesis and 305 received a Viatorr TIPS endoprosthesis (older version without controlled expansion). Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors predicting the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS creation; a Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess risk of HE through time to HE onset Results A total of 194 patients (52%) developed hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS creation, including 28 of 71 patients (39%) who received a VCX endoprosthesis. Older patient age and the use of Viatorr endoprosthesis without controlled expansion were significantly associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy overall. Pre-TIPS pressure variables, patient age, plasma international normalized ratio, and model for end-stage liver disease score were risk factors for time to hepatic encephalopathy. Conclusion Several variables are mild predictors of early hepatic encephalopathy development after TIPS creation, and the use of VCX endoprosthesis in TIPS creation is associated with a modest lower risk of hepatic encephalopathy. These preliminary findings should be considered in regard to patient selection, endoprosthesis selection, and post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation monitoring for the development of hepatic encephalopathy.

Background Patients with cirrhosis and ascites (and portal hypertension) are at risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI). Although many etiologies exist, hepatorenal AKI (HRS-AKI) remains a frequent and difficult-to-treat cause, with a very high mortality when left untreated. The standard of care is the use of terlipressin and albumin. This can lead to reversal of AKI, which is associated to survival. Nevertheless, only approximately half of the patients achieve this reversal and even after reversal patients remains at risk for new episodes of HRS-AKI. TIPS is accepted for use in patients with variceal bleeding and refractory ascites, which leads to a reduction in portal pressure. Although preliminary data suggest it may be useful in HRS-AKI, its use in this setting is controversial and caution is recommended given the fact that HRS-AKI is associated to cardiac alterations and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) which represent relative contraindications for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). In the last decades, with the new definition of renal failure in patients with cirrhosis, patients are identified at an earlier stage. These patients are less sick and therefore more likely to not have contraindications for TIPS. We hypothesize that TIPS could be superior to the standard of care in patients with HRS-AKI. Methods This study is a prospective, multicenter, open, 1:1-randomized, controlled parallel-group trial. The main end-point is to compare the 12-month liver transplant-free survival in patients assigned to TIPS compared to the standard of care (terlipressin and albumin). Secondary end-point include reversal of HRS-AKI, health-related Quality of Life (HrQoL), and incidence of further decompensation among others. Once patients are diagnosed with HRS-AKI, they will be randomized to TIPS or Standard of Care (SOC). TIPS should be placed within 72 h. Until TIPS placement, TIPS patients will be treated with terlipressin and albumin. Once TIPS is placed, terlipressin and albumin should be weaned off according to the attending physician. Discussion If the trial were to show a survival advantage for patients who undergo TIPS placement, this could be incorporated in routine clinical practice in the management of patients with HRS-AKI. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05346393 . Released to the public on 01 April 2022.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation is an established treatment option to management the complications of portal hypertension. Recent data on the long-term outcomes of TIPS are scarce. In this single-institution retrospective study, 495 patients underwent TIPS with the Fluency stent-grafts between December 2011 and June 2015 were evaluated. The cumulative rates of TIPS dysfunction, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), survival, and variceal rebleeding were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the parameters on TIPS patency, occurrence of HE and all-cause mortality. Technical success was 98.2%. TIPS-related complications occurred in 67 patients (13.5%) during the index hospital stay. TIPS creation resulted in an immediate decrease in mean portosystemic pressure gradient from 23.4 ± 7.1 mmHg to 7.6 ± 3.5 mmHg. The median follow-up period was 649 days. Primary TIPS patency rates were 93%, and 75.9% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Previous splenectomy was associated with a higher risk of TPS dysfunction. The cumulative survival rates were 93.4% and 77.2% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. The 1- and 3-year probability of remaining free of variceal bleeding rates were 94.2% and 71.4%, respectively. This retrospective single-center experience with TIPS using the Fluency stent-grafts demonstrates good long-term patency and favorable good clinical results. Previous splenectomy strongly predicts shunt dysfunction.