Development of stenoses in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency and significance of stenoses or occlusions developing within transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) and identify predictive factors.


METHODS
Medical records of 52 patients who underwent TIPS placement between September 1991 and October 1993 were reviewed. Various shunt parameters were correlated with the development of shunt abnormalities. Findings at follow-up portography and frequency of variceal bleeding and paracentesis were also noted.


RESULTS
Twenty-four patients were followed up for at least 6 months. In eight patients, stenoses developed within 6 months; one shunt occluded. No clear correlations were found between shunt parameters and development of shunt abnormalities. Two of four patients with recurrent variceal bleeding had associated shunt abnormalities. The frequency of stenosis of TIPS was high.


CONCLUSIONS
Early detection and prompt revision of stenotic shunts may decrease the frequency of recurrent variceal bleeding and ascites.
Nazarian
G K
GK
Department of Radiology, UMHC, MN 55455-0392.
Ferral
H
H
Castañeda-Zúñiga
W R
WR
Bjarnason
H
H
Foshager
M C
MC
Rank
J M
JM
Anderson
C A
CA
Rengel
G J
GJ
Herman
M E
ME
Hunter
D W
DW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011168:Portal System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D011172:Portography; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015607:Stents; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography