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Introduction and Aim: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS). It is associated with a reduced quality of life and poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare two groups of patients who did and did not develop overt HE after TIPS. We looked for differences between these groups before TIPS., Materials and Methods: A study of 895 patients was conducted based on a retrospective analysis of clinical data. Data was analyzed using Fisher's exact test, Chi-square, Mann Whitney test, unpaired t-test and logistic regression. After the initial analyses, we have looked at a regression models for the factors associated with development of HE after TIPS., Results: 257 (37.9%) patients developed HE after TIPS. Patients' age, pre-TIPS portal venous pressure, serum creatinine, aspartate transaminase, albumin, presence of diabetes mellitus and etiology of portal hypertension were statistically significantly associated with the occurrence of HE after TIPS (p < 0.01). However, only the age, pre-TIPS portal venous pressure, serum creatinine, presence of diabetes mellitus and etiology of portal hypertension contributed to the regression model. Patients age, serum creatinine, presence of diabetes mellitus and portal vein pressure formed the model describing development of HE after TIPS for a subgroup of patients with refractory ascites., Conclusion: we have identified, using a substantial sample, several factors associated with the development of HE after TIPS. This could be helpful in further research.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) have become a widely accepted tool in the treatment of patients with symptomatic portal hypertension. The aim of our study was to assess glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB) concentration in relation to echocardiographic and haemodynamic parameters in patients before and after TIPS insertion., Methods: The study population consisted of 55 patients (38 men and 17 women, age 55.6±8.9 years, range 37-74 years) with liver cirrhosis treated with transjugular portosystemic shunting. GPBB, echocardiographic, and haemodynamic parameters were measured before TIPS insertion and 24 h after the procedure. GPBB concentrations were assessed using the Cardiac Array for Evidence Investigator protein biochip. Correlation between parameters was assessed using the Spearman's coefficient., Results: Serum post-procedural GPBB concentrations were increased in comparison with baseline (5.58 vs. 2.67 μg/L, P<0.001). GPBB concentration after TIPS significantly correlated with baseline systemic vascular resistence (r=0.330; P=0.017) and cardiac index (r=0.313; P=0.025)., Conclusion: GPBB concentration measurement may be a useful tool for monitoring myocardial ischemia during a TIPS procedure.

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis is associated with hyperdynamic circulation which can result in heart failure. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) due to increase of cardiac output is a stressful stimulus for cardiovascular system. Therefore, new methods for early detection of heart failure are needed. Transmitral flow is a marker of diastolic dysfunction., Aim: To analyze short- and long-term effect of TIPS procedure on transmitral flow., Material and Methods: 55 patients (38 men and 17 women, 55.6 ± 8.9 years) with liver cirrhosis treated with TIPS were enrolled in the study. Echocardiography was performed before, 24 h, 7, 30 and 180 days after the procedure. During 6 month follow up 22 patients died. Results. Left ventricle end-diastolic diameter was increasing during the follow-up [baseline: 47 (44.7-51.2) mm, day 7: 50 (46.5-51.3) mm, p < 0.05; day 30: 49.5 (46.7-55.2) mm, p < 0.01; 6 months: 52.5 (48.3-55.2) mm, p < 0.01)]. The peak early filling velocity (E) was significantly increasing [before: 75.5 (60.5-87.3) cm/s, 24 h: 88 (74.3-109.7), p < 0.01; day 7: 89 (81.5-105) p < 0.01; 1 month: 94 (82.7-108.5) p < 0.01; 6 month: 91 (80.1-120.2) p < 0.01]. Peak late atrial filling velocity (A) significantly increased within 24 h after the procedure: 85.1 (76.2-99.5) vs. 91.2 (81.5-104.5) cm/s, p < 0.05. The E/A ratio was increasing during the follow up (baseline: 0.88, 24 h after: 0.89, 1 week: 1.0, 30 days: 1.13, 6 month: 1.06 p < 0.01)., Conclusion: Hemodynamic changes following TIPS procedure can be monitored using echocardiography. Transmitral flow analysis can serve as a useful tool for evaluating of diastolic function in these patients.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) have become a widely accepted tool in the treatment of patients with symptomatic portal hypertension. The aim of our study was to assess the value of cardiac markers before and after TIPS insertion for the prediction of one-year mortality in cirrhotic patients., Methods: The study population consisted of 55 patients (38 men and 17 women, aged 55.6 ± 8.9 y, range 37-74) with liver cirrhosis treated with transjugular portosystemic shunting. Biochemical markers were measured before and 24 h after TIPS. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) was tested by high-sensitivity immunoassay for Elecsys analyser (Roche Diagnostics). Concentrations of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme, myoglobin (MYO), glycogenphosphorylase BB isoenzyme (GPBB) and heart type of fatty acid binding protein (FABP) were measured by the Evidence Investigator protein biochip system (Randox Laboratories)., Results: In patients before TIPS insertion, hs-cTnT was increased above the cut-off (0.014 μg/L) in 39.2% of patients. Higher hs-cTnT and FABP concentrations were associated with poor survival in patients before TIPS (hs-cTnT: P = 0.018; FABP: P = 0.016). Twenty-four hours after the TIPS procedure, we found a significant elevation in serum GPBB in comparison with preprocedural values (P < 0.001). There was an association between postprocedural concentrations of cardiac markers (MYO, hs-cTnT, FABP) and overall survival., Conclusions: Measurement of cardiac markers, mainly hs-cTnT and FABP, may be useful for mortality prediction in cirrhotic patients after TIPS. Cardiac markers are better mortality predictors than other risk factors such as age, gender or Child-Pugh score.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of secondary deployment of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stent grafts in the treatment of dysfunctional transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) in comparison with other common approaches (conventional angioplasty or implantation of bare metal stents)., Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 121 dysfunctional bare metal TIPS presenting between 2000 and 2004 was conducted. The group was divided into four subgroups according to the type of intervention: conventional angioplasty (52 cases; 43%), bare metal stent deployment (35 cases; 28.9%), nondedicated ePTFE-covered stent-graft deployment (15 cases; 12.4%), and dedicated ePTFE-covered stent-graft deployment (19 cases; 15.7%). In all four groups, the primary patency after the specific intervention was calculated and mutually compared., Results: Primary patency rates after 12 and 24 months were 49.7% and 25.3%, respectively, in conventional angioplasty; 74.9% and 64.9%, respectively, with bare metal stents; 75.2% and 64.5%, respectively, with nondedicated ePTFE-covered stent grafts; and 88.1% and 80.8%, respectively, with dedicated ePTFE-covered stent grafts., Conclusions: In the treatment of dysfunctional TIPS, better patency after the intervention was obtained by deploying dedicated ePTFE-covered stent grafts in comparison with conventional angioplasty, bare metal stents, and nondedicated ePTFE-covered stents., (Copyright © 2011 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/aims: The prognosis of inoperable carcinomas of esophagus is poor, and therapeutic efforts are generally limited to palliation. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of intraluminal high dose rate brachytherapy in the palliative treatment of tumorous esophageal stenoses., Methodology: Between February 1997 and July 2002 intraluminal brachytherapy was performed in 19 patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma in 14 cases and adenocarcinoma in 5 cases). All patients had dysphagia at presentation. Brachytherapy was performed using high dose rate afterloading system., Results: Dysphagia was improved in all patients. The mean survival was 248 days. No mechanical complications were observed during introduction of the applicator., Conclusions: Our experience indicates that intraluminal brachytherapy is an effective and safe method of palliation of dysphagia caused by malignant esophageal stenosis.

Background: Mesalazine as the treatment standard for ulcerative colitis can be applied in different galenical preparations., Aim: A novel formulation of mesalazine pellets with delayed and prolonged release characteristics was compared with conventional Eudragit L-coated tablets. Furthermore, the effect of mesalazine dose escalation on nonresponders was evaluated in both treatment groups., Methods: A total of 233 patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis were randomized to receive either mesalazine (1.5 g/day in three doses) as pellets (n = 115) or tablets (n = 118) for 8 weeks. At insufficient response, the dose was increased to 3.0 g., Results: The clinical remission rate (clinical activity index < or = 4) for pellets was 67% vs. 68% for tablets which statistically proved to be not inferior (significance level alpha = 2.5%). In patients without dose increase, the remission rate was 47% (pellets) vs. 42% (tablets). Endoscopic improvement was observed in 80% (pellets) vs. 83% (tablets), and histological improvement in 48% (pellets) vs. 52% (tablets) of patients., Conclusions: Mesalazine pellets are as effective as tablets in the treatment of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. Dose escalation to 3.0 g/day is a valid option for nonresponders to a starting dose of 1.5 g/day.

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is a rare inherited liver disease characterized by recurrent attacks of severe cholestasis with no progression to end stage liver disease. Patients have jaundice, however, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and cholesterol levels remain within the normal range during the attacks. Three mutations in the familial intrahepatic cholestasis 1 (ATP8B1) gene encoding a P-type ATPase have been reported so far in patients with the autosomal recessive form of BRIC. A novel rare type insertion-deletion mutation, also called indel, was found in exon 24 of ATP8B1 in our patient together with a known missense mutation 1982T>C in exon 17. The mechanism of the indel formation is proposed and impact of the indel mutation on the function of ATP8B1 protein is discussed.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to report results of TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) in 5 consecutive children with cystic fibrosis and monitor long-term follow-up results., Methodology: Five cystic fibrosis patients with multinodular cirrhosis of the liver and complications of portal hypertension (repeated variceal bleeding refractory to endoscopic treatment) underwent TIPS creation. There were 3 males and 2 females aged 8 to 18 years (median 14 yrs), their weight range was 27-51 (median 40) kg. A routine TIPS technique was used. The patients were followed by ultrasonography., Results: The TIPS was successfully performed in all five patients. The mean portosystemic pressure gradient was reduced from 17 to 10 mmHg. There were no deaths related to the procedure. No clinical or laboratory signs of bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract were observed in any patient within the first 30 days following TIPS. There was recurrent bleeding 6 times and asymptomatic stenoses were revealed by ultrasonography 15 times during a follow-up period of 15-81 (median 70) months. All stenoses were successfully dilated. One patient had liver transplantation 15 months after TIPS. Two patients died 6.7 years and 4.5 years following the placement of TIPS due to respiratory insufficiency., Conclusions: Symptomatic portal hypertension was successfully managed with TIPS in long-term follow-up; multiple reinterventions were required for shunt stenoses. TIPS served as a bridge to liver transplantation in one case.

Portal hypertension as a consequence of liver cirrhosis is responsible for its most common complications: ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy and the most important one--variceal hemorrhage. Variceal bleeding results in considerable morbidity and mortality. This review covers all areas of importance in the therapy of acute variceal hemorrhage--endoscopic and pharmacological treatment, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, surgery and balloon tamponade. Indications and limitations of these therapeutic modalities are widely discussed., (Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Background/aims: 1) To compare the effect of 2-day application of 0.2 mg terlipressin i.v. every 4 hours (group I) with that of 5-day application of 1 mg i.v. every 4 hours (group II) in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices and portal gastropathy. 2) To assess the incidence of adverse events., Methodology: Eighty-six patients with liver cirrhosis (54 men and 32 women, average age 51 years) were randomized over a period of 2 years into 2 groups. Acute bleeding was diagnosed endoscopically within 24 hours of its onset. The two groups fully comparable; treatment failure rated according to "Baveno II"., Results: Success rate in group I was 78% at day 2 and 75% at day 5; in group II 89% and 79%, respectively (no statistical significance). Rebleeding had occurred by day 5 in 15% in group I, and in 16.3% in group II. Transfusion needs by day 2 were significantly lower in group II (2.4 units compare to 3.4 units in I). The 30-day mortality was 17.1% in group I and 20% in group II. No statistical difference between I and II in the occurrence of adverse events., Conclusions: At a dosage of 1 mg i.v. every 4 hours, the success rate at day 2 was as much as 90% while blood consumption was significantly lower compared with the lower dosage. Rebleeding during first 48 hours occurred almost exclusively at lower dosage. There was no increase in the rate of adverse events relative to the higher dosage.

Background/aims: The prognosis of carcinomas of the subhepatic region is poor, and therapeutic efforts are limited mostly to palliation. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of transduodenal administration of intraluminal high dose rate brachytherapy in the palliative treatment of bile duct and pancreatic head carcinomas., Methodology: Twelve patients with inoperable bile duct and pancreatic head carcinomas were treated by transduodenal brachytherapy using high dose rate remote afterloading system. Eleven patients were treated by intraluminal brachytherapy inserted via a nasobiliary drain and one patient by intraluminal brachytherapy via a nasopancreatic drain inserted in the duct of Wirsung., Results: After transduodenal intraluminal brachytherapy, a control of icterus was observed in all patients. The treatment was well tolerated with the mean survival of 284 days., Conclusions: Transduodenal intraluminal brachytherapy is technically feasible. The addition of intraluminal brachytherapy may be beneficial to patients in whom drainage can be established. Transduodenal insertion of brachytherapy is not competitive to the percutaneous approach but spreads the possibilities of the treatment of bile duct carcinoma. Intraluminal brachytherapy of pancreatic head carcinoma is feasible only via transduodenal approach.

Purpose: Carbon dioxide (CO2) can traverse the hepatic sinusoids better than iodinated contrast medium and has been used by many interventionalists for wedged hepatic venography during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures. Our study was designed to compare the extent of the portal vein opacification using either CO2 or iodinated contrast medium., Methods: Wedged hepatic venography for portal vein opacification during TIPS was performed using hand injection through a 6.5 Fr diagnostic catheter. Portograms of 36 patients performed with 10 ml of iodinated contrast medium were retrospectively compared with portograms of 45 patients performed with 30-40 ml of CO2. Opacification of the right portal vein branch including the portal vein bifurcation was defined as a successful study., Results: Using CO2 the right portal vein branch and the portal vein bifurcation were opacified in 87% of patients (39 of 45); only a part of the right portal vein branch was opacified in 6% of patients and no opacification of any portal vein branch was seen in 7% of patients. Using iodinated contrast medium, there was opacification of the portal vein bifurcation in 25% of patients (9 of 36), of a part of the portal vein branch in 36% and no opacification of any branch in 39%. There was one case of hepatic laceration from CO2 wedged venography which was treated with microcoil embolization., Conclusions: Using CO2 as a contrast medium, opacification of the portal vein bifurcation by wedged hepatic venography was seen in 87% of patients, in comparison with only 25% when iodinated contrast medium was used (p < 0.001). CO2 is superior to iodinated contrast medium for wedged hepatic venography during TIPS.

Background/aims: Prehepatic portal hypertension caused by extrahepatic portal vein occlusion is a situation in which hepatocytes are not damaged by disease despite the fact that portal blood is unable to reach them due to portal vein occlusion. We explored the patency of intrahepatic portal vein branches after extrahepatic portal vein occlusion for the possibility of revascularization by splenoportal shunt., Methodology: Prehepatic portal hypertension was induced in 8 mini-pigs by external compression of the portal vein with a device consisting of an inflatable silicone balloon mounted on a silicone cuff and attached to a subcutaneous chamber. Another device consisting of cannula and a subcutaneous chamber was placed into the splenic vein for portal pressure monitoring and portal venograms. Both devices were placed during laparotomy with their chambers positioned subcutaneously. Portal vein compression was initiated one week later and was accomplished in two steps. Extrahepatic portal vein occlusion and the patency of intrahepatic portal vein branches were confirmed by direct portal venography. Alteration of the intrahepatic portal bed was examined at necropsy after 4 weeks, checking for the presence of occlusion or thrombosis., Results: Portal vein occlusion was achieved in 5 animals, while severe stenosis was demonstrated in the remaining three. Portal venograms demonstrated patency of the lobar portal vein branches filled by hepatopetal collaterals around the occluded portal vein. All intrahepatic branches were free of thrombus at gross examination., Conclusions: In the absence of the hepatic parenchymal disease, lobar intrahepatic portal vein branches remain patent despite truncal portal vein occlusion and are supplied by rapidly developed hepatopetal collaterals.

Purpose: To evaluate shunt patency after placing a new polyurethane-coated Dacron-covered spiral Z stent-graft to create a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)., Methods: TIPS stent-grafts were placed in six young swine, using polyurethane-coated, Dacron-covered spiral Z stent-grafts. Animals were followed weekly by transhepatic portal venography until shunt occlusion or up to 6 weeks, then were sacrificed for gross and histologic evaluation., Results: Five of six TIPS stent-grafts were found to be occluded by 3 weeks and none were patent at 6 weeks. Histologic evaluation demonstrated a marked foreign body reaction with superimposed thrombosis occluding the graft lumen., Conclusion: Polyurethane-coated Dacron-covered stent-grafts do not improve TIPS patency.

Three cases of intraperitoneal bleeding from extrahepatic portal vein laceration were observed in a series of 104 patients with TIPS. In one patient, bleeding continued after Wallstent placement and the patient died during an emergency laparotomy. Bleeding was stopped in the other two patients by using a stent graft rather than a regular stent. One shunt remained patent and outflow stenosis developed in 3 months. The other shunt thrombosed in 5 months. Both shunts were fully reopened.