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Portal vein velocities measured by ultrasound: usefulness for evaluating shunt functioning following TIPS placement
Y Fung1, N Glajchen, R S Shapiro
1Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Background:
To assess the usefulness of following portal vein velocities by Doppler ultrasound in evaluating shunt functioning after transhepatic intrajugular portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement and revision.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 39 patients who underwent a TIPS procedure in the preceding 4 years. Portal vein (PV) velocities were measured by Doppler ultrasound before and after TIPS insertion and revision and were correlated with portosystemic gradients (PSG) measured at angiography.
Results:
Mean PV velocities increased from 18 +/- 6 cm/s before TIPS placement to 50 +/- 21 cm/s (p < 0.001) after TIPS placement, with corresponding decrease of mean PSG from 20 +/- 6 to 8 +/- 3 mmHg (p < 0.001). Mean PV velocities significantly increased from 24 +/- 6 to 43 +/- 14 cm/s after TIPS revision (p < 0.02), with decrease of PSG from 17 +/- 6 to 9 +/- 5 mmHg (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between all PV velocities and their corresponding PSG (Spearman r < 0.61, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
PV velocities significantly correlate with changes in PSG. Following portal vein velocities by ultrasound is useful for early evaluation of shunt functioning following TIPS.