Radiation Exposure in Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation

Abstract

Purpose: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation is considered as being one of the most complex procedures in abdominal interventional radiology. Our aim was twofold: quantification of TIPS-related patient radiation exposure in our center and identification of factors leading to reduced radiation exposure.

Materials and methods: Three hundred and forty seven consecutive patients underwent TIPS in our center between 2007 and 2014. Three main procedure categories were identified: Group I (n = 88)-fluoroscopic-guided portal vein targeting, procedure done in an image intensifier-based angiographic system (IIDS); Group II (n = 48)--ultrasound-guided portal vein puncture, procedure done in an IIDS; and Group III (n = 211)--ultrasound-guided portal vein puncture, procedure done in a flat panel detector-based system (FPDS). Radiation exposure (dose-area product [DAP], in Gy cm(2) and fluoroscopy time [FT] in minutes) was retrospectively analyzed.

Results: DAP was significantly higher in Group I (mean ± SD 360 ± 298; median 287; 75th percentile 389 Gy cm(2)) as compared to Group II (217 ± 130; 178; 276 Gy cm(2); p = 0.002) and Group III (129 ± 117; 70; 150 Gy cm(2) p < 0.001). The difference in DAP between Groups II and III was also significant (p < 0.001). Group I had significantly longer FT (25.78 ± 13.52 min) as compared to Group II (20.45 ± 10.87 min; p = 0.02) and Group III (19.76 ± 13.34; p < 0.001). FT was not significantly different between Groups II and III (p = 0.73).

Conclusions: Real-time ultrasound-guided targeting of the portal venous system during TIPS creation results in a significantly lower radiation exposure and reduced FT. Further reduction in radiation exposure can be achieved through the use of modern angiographic units with FPDS.

Keywords: Fluoroscopy; Liver/hepatic; Portal vein hypertension; Radiation protection; Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS/TIPSS); Ultrasound.