Portal vein velocities measured by ultrasound: usefulness for evaluating shunt functioning following TIPS placement and TIPS revision.
BACKGROUND
To assess the usefulness of following portal vein velocities by Doppler ultrasound in evaluating shunt functioning after transhepatic intrajugular portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement and revision.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 39 patients who underwent a TIPS procedure in the preceding 4 years. Portal vein (PV) velocities were measured by Doppler ultrasound before and after TIPS insertion and revision and were correlated with portosystemic gradients (PSG) measured at angiography.


RESULTS
Mean PV velocities increased from 18 +/- 6 cm/s before TIPS placement to 50 +/- 21 cm/s (p < 0.001) after TIPS placement, with corresponding decrease of mean PSG from 20 +/- 6 to 8 +/- 3 mmHg (p < 0.001). Mean PV velocities significantly increased from 24 +/- 6 to 43 +/- 14 cm/s after TIPS revision (p < 0.02), with decrease of PSG from 17 +/- 6 to 9 +/- 5 mmHg (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between all PV velocities and their corresponding PSG (Spearman r < 0.61, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
PV velocities significantly correlate with changes in PSG. Following portal vein velocities by ultrasound is useful for early evaluation of shunt functioning following TIPS.
Fung
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Glajchen
N
N
Shapiro
R S
RS
Wolf
D C
DC
Cooper
J M
JM
D000792:Angiography; D001201:Ascites / Q000601:surgery; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color