Added Value of Covered Stents in Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt: A Large Single-Center Experience

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) were historically placed using uncovered bare-metal stents. Current practice has now shifted toward the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stents, given the improved primary patency seen with these stents. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any added value, such as overall survival or stent patency, when using covered stents versus uncovered stents in TIPS placement in a large cohort.

From April 1995 to June 2012, a total of 744 consecutive adult patients underwent de novo TIPS placement (378 receiving uncovered stents, 366 receiving covered stents). Information was obtained on demographics, baseline clinical variables, and outcomes after TIPS placement. Data were collected, compared, and analyzed to assess outcomes including mortality, primary patency (determined via repeat intervention), and secondary patency (determined via ultrasound parameters).

Covered stents were associated with significantly improved primary patency (P < 0.001) and secondary patency (P < 0.001) when compared with uncovered stents in TIPS procedures. Additionally, covered stents were associated with higher estimated overall survival rates and higher survival rates when TIPS was performed emergently and in patients with higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. For example, in patients with MELD scores between 11 and 18, there was a predicted survival of 59.2% with covered stents versus 42.8% with uncovered stents at 1 year.

This study demonstrated that covered stents offer the additional value of higher estimated overall survival and higher estimated survival in patients undergoing TIPS emergently and in those with higher MELD scores when compared to uncovered stents.