scholarly journals Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Evaluation of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Perfusion

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1593
Author(s):  
Constantin A. Marschner ◽  
Thomas Geyer ◽  
Matthias F. Froelich ◽  
Johannes Rübenthaler ◽  
Vincent Schwarze ◽  
...  

Background: In patients with liver cirrhosis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) displays an effective method for treating portal hypertension. Main indications include refractory ascites and secondary prevention of esophageal bleeding. Color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) plays a leading role in the follow-up management, whereas contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is not routinely considered. We compared the efficacy of CEUS to CDUS and highlighted differences compared to findings of corresponding computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (2) Methods: On a retrospective basis, 106 patients with CEUS examination after TIPS were included. The enrollment period was 12 years (between 2008 and 2020) and the age group ranged from 23.3 to 82.1 years. In addition, 92 CDUS, 43 CT and 58 MRI scans were evaluated for intermodal comparison. (3) Results: Intermodal analysis and comparison revealed a high level of concordance between CDUS, CT and MRI in the vast majority of cases. In comparison to CDUS, the correlation of the relevant findings was 92.5%, 95.3% for CT and 87.9% for MRI. In some cases, however, additional information was provided by CEUS (4) Conclusions: CEUS depicts a safe and effective imaging modality for follow-up after TIPS. In addition to CDUS, CEUS enables specific assessment of stent pathologies and stent dysfunction due to its capacity to dynamically visualize single microbubbles at high spatial and temporal resolution. Due to the low number of adverse events regarding the application of contrast agents, CEUS can be administered to a very broad patient population, thus avoiding additional radiation exposure compared to CT angiography in cases with divergent findings during follow-up.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Chang ◽  
Alexia Dumitrache ◽  
Nina Böhling ◽  
Jasmin Abu-Omar ◽  
Carsten Meyer ◽  
...  

AbstractTransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) can treat portal hypertensive complications and modifies hepatic hemodynamics. Modification of liver perfusion can alter contrast enhancement dynamics of liver nodules. This study investigated the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis with TIPS. In this prospective monocentric observational study, CEUS was used to characterize focal liver lesions in patients at risk for HCC with and without TIPS. Times of arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) und washout were quantified. Perfusion-index (PI) and resistance-index (RI) of hepatic artery and portal venous flow parameters were measured via doppler ultrasonography. Diagnostic gold standard was MRI/CT or histology. This study included 49 liver lesions [23 TIPS (11 HCC), 26 no TIPS (15 HCC)]. 26 were diagnosed as HCC by gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity of CEUS to diagnose HCC with and without TIPS were 93.3% and 100% vs. 90.9% and 93.3%, respectively. APHE appeared significantly earlier in patients with TIPS compared to patients without TIPS. TIPS significantly accentuates APHE of HCC in CEUS. CEUS has good diagnostic performance for diagnosis of HCC in patients with TIPS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Sara Santos ◽  
Eduardo Dantas ◽  
Filipe Veloso Gomes ◽  
José Hugo Luz ◽  
Nuno Vasco Costa ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background and Aims:</i></b> Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is used for decompressing clinically significant portal hypertension. The aims of this study were to evaluate clinical outcomes and adverse events associated with this procedure. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Retrospective single-center study including 78 patients submitted to TIPS placement between January 2015 and November 2018. Follow-up data were missing in 27 patients, and finally 51 patients were included in the study sample. Data collected from individual registries included demographics, comorbidities, laboratory results, complications, and clinical results according to the indication. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Average<b><i></i></b>pre-TIPS portosystemic pressure gradient decreased from 18.1 ± 5 to 6 ± 3 mm Hg after TIPS placement. Indications for TIPS were refractory ascites (63%, <i>n</i> = 49), recurrent or uncontrolled variceal bleeding (36%, <i>n</i> = 28), and Budd-Chiari syndrome (1.3%, <i>n</i> = 1). TIPS-related adverse events occurred in 29/51 (56.8%) patients, with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in 21 (41%) patients, sepsis in 3, liver failure in 2, hemolytic anemia in 1, acute pulmonary edema in 1, and capsular perforation in 1 patient. Mean follow-up was 15.7 ± 15 months. First-month mortality was 11.7% (<i>n</i> = 6) (sepsis, <i>n</i> = 3; acute liver failure, <i>n</i> = 2; and recurrence of variceal bleeding, <i>n</i> = 1) and was significantly higher for patients with Child-Pugh &#x3e;9 points (<i>p</i> = 0.01), model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores &#x3e;19 (<i>p</i> = 0.02), and for patients with a history of HE before the procedure (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Older age (<i>p</i> = 0.006) and higher levels of creatinine (<i>p</i> = 0.008) were significantly higher in patients developing HE after TIPS. Ascites persisted in 21.2% (7/33 patients) and was more frequent in patients with lower baseline albumin levels (<i>p</i> = 0.003). Recurrent variceal bleeding occurred in 22% (<i>n</i> = 4/18 patients) and was more frequent in patients with lower baseline hemoglobin levels (<i>p</i> = 0.03). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> TIPS is effective in up to 80% of patients presenting with variceal bleeding or refractory ascites. Careful patient selection based on age and HE history may reduce adverse events after TIPS.


Author(s):  
Shyamkumar N. Keshava ◽  
Vinu Moses ◽  
Anand Sharma ◽  
Munawwar Ahmed ◽  
Sathya Narayanan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate the technical and clinical outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) performed with additional transabdominal ultrasound guidance. Material and Methods Patients who underwent TIPS between January 2004 to January 2020 in our center were studied. Technical, hemodynamic, angiographic, and clinical outcome were recorded up to 1 year of follow-up. Results TIPS was attempted in 162 patients (median [range] age 37[3–69] years; 105 were males and 57 were females; Etiology: Budd-Chiari syndrome [BCS] 91, cirrhosis 65, symptomatic acute portal venous thrombosis [PVT] 3, veno-occlusive disease [VOD] 2, congenital portosystemic shunt [CPSS] 1) during the study period. Indication for TIPS was refractory ascites in 135 patients (BCS 86, cirrhosis 49) and variceal bleed in 21 patients (BCS 5, cirrhosis 16). Technical success was seen in 161 of the 162 (99.4%) patients. The tract was created from hepatic vein in 55 patients and inferior vena cava (IVC) in 106 patients. Complications within 1 week post TIPS were seen in 29 of the 162 (18%) patients, of whom one developed unexplained arrhythmia and hypotension and died. Of the patients with available follow-up, clinical success was noted in 120 (81%), while 14 (9%) patients had partial nonresponse and six (4%) had complete nonresponse. Eight (5%) patients died during the follow-up period. Conclusion The technical success of TIPS creation with additional transabdominal ultrasound guidance is very high with low peri-procedural complication rate. It has enabled the inclusion of a wider spectrum of cases like acute PVT and obliterated hepatic veins which were otherwise considered contraindications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (01) ◽  
pp. 087-096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonel Trebicka

AbstractDoes transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt stent (TIPS) improve survival in a subgroup of patients? Yes. TIPS nearly halves portal pressure and increases the effective blood volume. In cases of acute variceal hemorrhage and with a high risk of treatment failure, defined as either hepatic venous pressure gradient higher than 20 mm Hg, Child B with active bleeding at the endoscopy, or Child C with less than 14 points, early or preemptive placement of TIPS (within 72 hours) improves survival. Also, in suitable patients with intractable or refractory ascites, TIPS improves survival if placed early in the course of treatment. While TIPS does not improve survival in other situations, it improves disease management, especially in patients without TIPS contraindications but with refractory bleeding, early rebleeding, portal vein thrombosis, and hepatorenal syndrome. Experience gained at the centers and follow-up of TIPS patients are key features that improve outcome. Important factors for selection and follow-up include cardiac function, inflammation, sarcopenia, age, and early evaluation for liver transplantation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf K. Radunski ◽  
Johannes Kluwe ◽  
Malte Klein ◽  
Antonio Galante ◽  
Gunnar K. Lund ◽  
...  

AbstractTransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) reduces portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis. The exact cardiac consequences of subsequent increase of central blood volume are unknown. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the method of choice for quantifying cardiac volumes and ventricular function. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of TIPS on the heart using CMR, laboratory, and imaging cardiac biomarkers. 34 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis were evaluated for TIPS. Comprehensive CMR with native T1 mapping, transthoracic echocardiography, and laboratory biomarkers were assessed before and after TIPS insertion. Follow-up (FU) CMR was obtained in 16 patients (47%) 207 (170–245) days after TIPS. From baseline (BL) to FU, a significant increase of all indexed cardiac chamber volumes was observed (all P < 0.05). Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic mass index increased significantly from 45 (38–51) to 65 (51–73) g/m2 (P =  < 0.01). Biventricular systolic function, NT-proBNP, high-sensitive troponin T, and native T1 time did not differ significantly from BL to FU. No patient experienced cardiac decompensation following TIPS. In conclusion, in patients without clinically significant prior heart disease, increased cardiac preload after TIPS resulted in increased volumes of all cardiac chambers and eccentric LV hypertrophy, without leading to cardiac impairment during follow-up in this selected patient population.


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