[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of portosystemic shunts]

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 3 patients with stenotic portosystemic shunt (one splenorenal, one mesocaval, and one arterialized splenoportal shunt). In the first two cases, the procedure was successful, followed immediately by widening of the shunt and a decrease of the splenorenal and mesocaval pressure gradient. Shunt patency was confirmed at long term as the patients showed no evidence of esophageal varices or recurrent variceal bleeding. In the third case, results were disappointing as thrombosis of the shunt occurred at the end of the procedure. Nevertheless, we conclude that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty should be the first intention procedure for treating stenosis of portosystemic shunts.