Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in the treatment of refractory ascites: results in 48 consecutive patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy, morbidity, and mortality involved in the creation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in the treatment of patients with refractory ascites in Child-Pugh classes B and C.


METHODS
Forty-eight consecutive patients with refractory ascites were treated with TIPS creation in a tertiary care institution. They were followed for a median of 337 days (range, 3-1376 d).


RESULTS
TIPS significantly decreased the portohepatic pressure gradient (20.7 +/- 5.9 mm Hg vs. 6.8 +/- 4.1 mm Hg; P < .0001). Seventy-three percent of patients had complete or partial response. One year after TIPS creation, survival was 73% in Child class B patients and 56% in Child class C patients. Thirteen patients experienced procedural complications (portal vein thrombosis, peritoneal bleeding, acute renal failure, pneumothorax, hemoptysis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and heart failure) and TIPS creation was considered the cause of death in five patients (10.4%). Primary patency was 65% at 3 months and 23% at 1 year, but shunt obstruction was accessible for a second intervention. Ten patients (21%) had de novo encephalopathy after TIPS creation.


CONCLUSIONS
This series suggests that TIPS is an effective treatment for refractory ascites; however, it is a challenging procedure and serious complications--usually renal and heart failure--can be seen. A careful selection of patients is mandatory.
Péron
J M
JM
Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Fédération digestive de l'Hôpital Purpan, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Toulouse, France. peron.jm@chu-toulouse.fr
Barange
K
K
Otal
P
P
Rousseau
H
H
Payen
J L
JL
Pascal
J P
JP
Joffre
F
F
Vinel
J P
JP
D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome