Efficacy of TIPS Reduction for Refractory Hepatic Encephalopathy, Right Heart Failure, and Liver Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical outcomes of patients undergoing TIPS reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study, all TIPS reductions performed at two institutions from January 1, 2008 to January 31, 2016, were retrospectively identified. Patients were divided into two groups according to pre-TIPS symptoms: volume overload due to ascites or hydrothorax (VO; n = 14) or variceal bleeding (VB; n = 12). Patient demographics, pre-TIPS model for end-stage liver disease score, pre- and post-TIPS portosystemic gradients, and clinical parameters were recorded. The primary endpoint was change in symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (HE; West Haven criteria), right heart failure, or liver dysfunction. Secondary endpoints included paracentesis rate for the VO group and rebleeding for the VB group. RESULTS. The degree of HE increased in 24 of 26 patients (92%) after TIPS placement and decreased in 24 of 26 patients (92%) after TIPS reduction. Mean West Haven scores for the VO group decreased after TIPS reduction (from 2.57 ± 0.97 [SD] to 1.07 ± 0.70; p < .001). Mean West Haven scores for the VB group also decreased after TIPS reduction (from 2.45 ± 0.89 to 1.27 ± 0.86; p = .007). Right heart failure improved in two of three patients (67%), and total bilirubin improved in one of three patients (33%). Follow-up data were available up to median of 134 days (interquartile range, 44-286). TIPS reduction led to an increased paracentesis rate compared with before TIPS placement in four of 14 patients with VO (29%). One patient had a stable paracentesis rate after TIPS reduction compared with before TIPS placement. Variceal rebleeding did not occur in any patients with VB after TIPS reduction. At 54 days after TIPS reduction, one of the 12 patients with VB (9%) experienced hematemesis due to an endoscopically proven band-related ulcer. CONCLUSION. TIPS reduction successfully resolved HE and refractory right heart failure in most patients. In patients with VB, TIPS reduction with variceal embolization results in a low risk of short-term recurrent VB. However, in patients with VO, ascites may return or worsen after TIPS reduction despite improvement in HE.