Bleeding ectopic varices--treatment with transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) and embolisation.
OBJECTIVE
Bleeding ectopic varices due to cirrhosis can be difficult to manage. We report our experience of uncontrolled bleeding from ectopic varices treated with transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS).


METHODS
We selected the 21 cirrhotics who underwent TIPS for bleeding ectopic varices from our database: Child-Pugh grade A (2), B (11) and C (8). Site of bleeding was rectal (11), colonic (2), ileal 1, jejunal 1, duodenal 1, and stomal (5).


RESULTS
TIPS was performed successfully in 19/21 (90%) patients. All except 1 had either a reduction in portosystemic pressure gradient < or = 12 mmHg (n=12) or reduction by 25-50% of baseline (n=6). TIPS alone was used in 12/19: 7 of these 12 had no further bleeding; 5 (42%) rebled within 48 h, and had embolisation, 4 without further bleeding. In 7 of 19, TIPS and embolisation were performed together: 2 patients (28%) rebled; further embolisation stopped the bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Ectopic varices do rebleed despite a reduction of porto-systemic pressure gradient < or = 12 mmHg or by 25-50% of baseline, following TIPS. Embolisation stopped bleeding in all but 1 patient. We recommend performing embolisation at the time of the initial TIPS to control bleeding from ectopic varices.
Vangeli
Marcello
M
Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Free Hospital and NHS Hampstead Trust, London, UK.
Patch
David
D
Terreni
Natalia
N
Tibballs
John
J
Watkinson
Anthony
A
Davies
Neil
N
Burroughs
Andrew Kenneth
AK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies