Shear Wave Elastography of the Spleen for Monitoring Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Function: A Pilot...

To assess the feasibility of splenic shear wave elastography in monitoring transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) function.

We measured splenic shear wave velocity (SWV), main portal vein velocity (PVV), and splenic vein velocity (SVV) in 33 patients 1 day before and 3 days to 12 months after TIPS placement. We also measured PVV, SVV, and SWV in 10 of 33 patients with TIPS dysfunction 1 day before and 3 to 6 days after TIPS revision. Analyses included differences in portosystemic pressure gradient (PPG), PVV, SVV, and mean SWV before and after TIPS procedures; comparison of median SWV before and after TIPS procedures; differences in PVV, SVV, and SWV before and at different times up to 12 months after TIPS placement; accuracy of PVV, SVV, and SWV in determining TIPS dysfunction; and correlation between PPG and SWV.

During 12 months of follow-up, 23 of 33 patients had functioning TIPS, and 10 had TIPS dysfunction. The median SWV was significantly different before and after primary TIPS placement (3.60 versus 3.05 m/s; P = .005), as well as before and after revision (3.73 versus 3.06 m/s; P = .003). The PPG, PVV, and SVV were also significantly different before and after TIPS placement and revision (P < .001). The PPG and SWV decreased, whereas PVV and SVV increased, after successful TIPS procedures. A positive correlation was observed between PPG and SWV (r = 0.70; P < .001), and a negative correlation was observed between PPG and PVV and SVV (r = -0.65; P < .001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for PVV, SVV, and SWV in determining TIPS dysfunction were 0.82, 0.84, and 0.81, respectively.

Splenic SWV is compatible with splenoportal venous velocity in quantitatively monitoring TIPS function and determining TIPS dysfunction.