[Transjugular intrahepatic portacaval shunt. Preliminary results]

Transjugular implantation of a metallic prosthesis between main portal branch and a hepatic vein is a new intrahepatic portosystemic shunt method to treat portal hypertension. Forty-nine cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension were treated using this technique. The success rate of implantation was 94%. Mortality due to the procedure was 2%. Early complications decreased with the operator's learning curve consisting of bleeding (20%): digestive hemorrhage (n = 5; 12%), hemobilia (n = 4; 8%), which ceased after withdrawal of post-operative heparin. Early thrombosis following shunt implantation occurred in 13% of the patients. Shunt implantation resulted in a 53 +/- 16% decrease in the portocaval pressure gradient (21 +/- 5 to 10 +/- 4 mmHg). Shunts were performed in 45 patients to prevent a recurrence of variceal bleeding. Follow-up of 41 patients showed 12.2% with variceal rebleeding and 16 patients (39%) with a stenosis requiring a redilation. Ascites improved in 95% of the patients and hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 17%. One year survival was 85%. Controlled studies are needed to determine the indications of this new treatment for ascites and bleeding.