Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) for the prevention of variceal re-bleeding - A two decades experience.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) are used in patients with cirrhosis for the prevention of variceal rebleeding.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated re-bleeding rate, patency, mortality, and transplant-free survival (TFS) in cirrhotic patients receiving TIPS implantation for variceal bleeding between 1994-2014.

Results

286 patients received TIPS (n = 119 bare metal stents, n = 167 polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE)-covered stents) for prevention of variceal re-bleeding. Mean age was 55.1 years, median MELD was 11.8, and the main etiology of cirrhosis was alcoholic liver disease (70%). Median follow-up was 821 days. 67 patients (23%) experienced at least one re-bleeding event. Patients with PTFE-TIPS were at significantly lower risk

SUBMITTER: Bucsics T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5760018 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature