Consequences of TIPSS placement on the body composition of patients with cirrhosis and severe portal hypertension: a large retrospective CT-based surveillance

Abstract

Background: Body composition may be modified after improvement of portal hypertension (PHT) by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) insertion.

Aims: To evaluate changes in body composition following TIPSS placement, their relationship with radiological TIPSS patency and function, and the predictive value of these parameters METHODS: We retrospectively included 179 patients with cirrhosis who underwent TIPSS placement in our centre for severe PHT from 2011 to 2017. CT scan-based surveillance was performed at baseline, 1-3 (M1-M3) and 6 months (M6).

Results: The median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 11.4 (8.8-15.1) and Child-Pugh score 8 (7-9). Only the MELD score (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08-1.20) and sarcopenia assessed by transversal right psoas muscle thickness at the umbilical level/height (TPMPT/height) (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.96) were independently associated with 6-month mortality on multivariate analysis. After TIPSS insertion, TPMT/height increased from 19 mm/m (baseline) to 19.6 mm/m (M1-M3, P = 0.004) and 21.1 mm/m (M6, P < 0.0001). The improvement and its extent were dependent on the radiological patency and dysfunction of TIPSS. Subcutaneous fat surface (SCFS) increased from 183.4 to 193 cm² (P < 0.0001) and 229.8 cm² (P < 0.0001), respectively. We observed a decrease in visceral fat surface (VFS) between baseline and M1-M3 (163.5-140.5 cm² [P < 0.0001]), but not between M1-M3 and M6 (140.5-141.2 cm² [P = 0.9]). SCFS and VFS did not seem to be modified by radiological TIPSS patency and dysfunction.

Conclusions: Sarcopenia is independently associated with 6-month outcome and improves after TIPSS placement, together with an inverse evolution of subcutaneous and visceral fat. TIPSS not only treats PHT but also improves body composition.