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Published on: January 13, 2026
[Repeat endovascular interventions after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (tips) procedures]
Insights
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures can lead to in-stent thrombosis, particularly with matrix and self-expanding stents. Endovascular recanalization effectively restores stent patency and reduces variceal bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Hepatology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a critical intervention for managing complications of advanced liver disease, such as portal hypertension, ascites, and esophageal varices.
- Hepatocirrhosis, classified by Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) stages B and C, presents significant management challenges due to portal hypertension and its sequelae.
- Maintaining shunt patency is crucial for the long-term efficacy of TIPS in preventing variceal hemorrhage and managing ascites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and management of in-stent thrombosis following TIPS procedures.
- To compare the rates of thrombosis among different stent types used in TIPS.
- To assess the effectiveness of endovascular techniques in restoring stent patency and preventing recurrent variceal bleeding.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 59 patients undergoing TIPS for CTP class B/C hepatocirrhosis, portal hypertension, or ascites.
- Categorization of stents into matrix (PERICO), self-expanding (ZA-stents, OptiMedsinus-SuperFlex-Visualstents, Zilverstents, SMART), and coated self-expanding (Gore Viatorr).
- Diagnosis of in-stent thrombosis via ultrasonographic duplex scanning; assessment of patency rates and outcomes of endovascular interventions.
Main Results:
- Six procedures (11%) failed initially. Of 53 successful TIPS, 13 patients (24.5%) developed in-stent thrombosis.
- Thrombosis rates were higher with matrix stents (23.0%) and self-expanding stents (61.0%) compared to coated stents.
- Primary stent patency was 67%, with a secondary assisted patency of 89% after interventions like recanalization and angioplasty.
Conclusions:
- In-stent thrombosis is a significant complication of TIPS, with varying incidence based on stent type.
- Endovascular restoration of stent lumen patency is an effective and minimally invasive strategy.
- Successful interventions significantly decrease the rate of recurrent esophageal variceal hemorrhage, preserving shunt function.
Abstract:
The authors share their experience with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures preformed in a total of fifty-nine patients diagnosed with and hence operated on for class B and C hepatocirrhosis (according to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh classification), portal hypertension, grade 3 varicosely dilated oesophageal veins, or ascites. Of these, there were 12 women and 47 men (average age 56.3 years). Three types of stents were used: matrix stents (PERICO), self-expanding (ZA-stents, OptiMedsinus-SuperFlex- Visualstents, Zilverstents, SMART), and coated self-expanding stents (Gore Viatorr TIPS Endoprosthesis). Six (11 %) TIPS procedures ended in failure. Of the remaining 53 successful TIPS attempts, thirteen patients developed an in-stent thrombosis at various terms postoperatively, with one patient having experienced it twice Within four postoperative days, thrombosis occurred in three patients, at terms varying from one month to three months in five patients, and from 6 to 12 months in a further five patients. More often thromboses were encountered with the matrix stents (n = 3) 23.0% (PERICO) and self-expanding stents (n = 8) in 61.0% (OptiMed sinus-SuperFlex-Visual). Thromboses were clinically manifested by oesophageal variceal haemorrhage. An in-stent thrombosis was confirmed by means of ultrasonographic duplex scanning (lack of arterial blood flow). The primary stent patency rate following TIPS procedures amounted to 67%. with the secondary assisted graft patency rate equalling 89%. Restoration of the stent's lumen after TIPS procedures by means of endovascular recanalization, rheolytic thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty, and a stent-in-stent technique appears to be a minimally invasive, rather efficient method and virtually the only way to preserve the stent's patency. This technique makes it possible to decrease the rate of recurrent oesophageal variceal haemorrhage.
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