title: Embolization with the Amplatzer Vascular Plug in TIPS patients.
abstract: Vessel embolization can be a valuable adjunct procedure in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). During the creation of a TIPS, embolization of portal vein collaterals supplying esophageal varices may lower the risk of secondary rebleeding. And after creation of a TIPS, closure of the TIPS itself may be indicated if the resulting hepatic encephalopathy severely impairs mental functioning. The Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP; AGA Medical, Golden Valley, MN) is well suited for embolization of large-diameter vessels and has been employed in a variety of vascular lesions including congenital arteriovenous shunts. Here we describe the use of the AVP in the context of TIPS to embolize portal vein collaterals (n = 8) or to occlude the TIPS (n = 2).
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands. p.m.t.pattynama@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Peter M T
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pattynama
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wils
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van der Linden
authors.forename: Lukas C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: van Dijk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000628:therapy*; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D015641:Radiography, Interventional