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Clinical Trial
. 2015 Apr;26(4):499-506.
doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2014.12.012. Epub 2015 Feb 7.

Portal vein recanalization-transjugularintrahepatic portosystemic shunt using the transsplenic approach to achieve transplant candidacy in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis

Ali Habib  1 , Kush Desai  1 , Ryan Hickey  1 , Bartley Thornburg  1 , Michael Vouche  1 , Robert L Vogelzang  1 , Riad Salem  2
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Portal vein recanalization-transjugularintrahepatic portosystemic shunt using the transsplenic approach to achieve transplant candidacy in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis

Ali Habib et al. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: To present the transsplenic route as an alternative approach for portal vein recanalization-transjugular portosystemic shunt (PVR-TIPS) for chronic main portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in potential transplant candidates.

Materials and methods: In 2013-2014, 11 consecutive patients with cirrhosis-induced chronic main PVT underwent transsplenic PVR-TIPS. All patients had been denied listing for transplant because of the presence of main PVT, a relative contraindication in this center. The patients were followed for adverse events. Portal vein patency was assessed at 1 month by splenoportography and every 3 months subsequently by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. After PVR-TIPS, patients were reviewed (and subsequently listed for transplant) at a weekly multidisciplinary conference.

Results: PVR-TIPS using the transsplenic approach was successful in all 11 patients with no major complications. Median age was 61 years (range, 33-67 y) and 9 of 11 patients (82%) were men. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was the leading cause of liver disease in 4 of 11 patients (36%), and hepatitis C was present in 4 of 11 patients (36%). Complete main PVT was found in 8 of 11 patients (73%). Of 11 patients, 4 (36%) had a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score > 18, and 8 (73%) had a baseline Child-Pugh score of 7-10. Minor adverse events occurred in 2 of 11 patients (fever, encephalopathy). At the end of the procedure, 5 of 11 patients (45%) exhibited some minor remaining thrombus in the portal vein; 3 of the 5 patients (60%) had complete thrombus resolution at 1 month, with the remaining 2 patients having resolution at 3 months (no anticoagulation was needed). Three patients underwent successful liver transplant with end-to-end anastomoses.

Conclusions: Transsplenic PVR-TIPS is a potentially safe and effective method to treat PVT and improve transplant candidacy.

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