03:18 PM Abstract No. 270 Parallel TIPS versus DIPS for second percutaneous portosystemic shunt placement in cirrhotic patients with an existing TIPS

Abstract

A second portosystemic shunt (sPSS) may be needed in patients with recurrent variceal bleeding or persistent ascites despite an existing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) due to insufficient portal decompression or shunt occlusion refractory to recanalization. There is no consensus on the best method for sPSS creation. The goal of this study was to compare the technical and clinical outcomes of placing a parallel TIPS (pTIPS) versus direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt (DIPS) as the sPSS. From 2002-2017, a pTIPS (n = 12; median age 62 y, MELD 13) or DIPS (n = 8; 57 y, 12) was placed in 20 patients with an existing TIPS and recurrent symptoms. sPSS indication, procedure details, technical and clinical success rates, and complications were retrospectively reviewed and compared. A sPSS was indicated for persistent ascites or recurrent variceal bleeding in 6 and 6 patients, respectively, in the pTIPS group and 6 and 2 patients in the DIPS group. The existing TIPS was patent in 5/12 patients in the pTIPS group and 4/8 in the DIPS group; the rest were chronically occluded. DIPS was specifically chosen in 5 cases due to anatomical limitations posed by the existing TIPS. In one pTIPS procedure, the existing occluded TIPS prevented full expansion of the new pTIPS, requiring balloon expandable stent placement. Stent-grafts were used in all cases (pTIPS: diameter 10 mm n=8, 8 mm n=4; DIPS: 10 mm n=5, 8 mm n=3, 7 mm n=1). Technical success was 100% in both groups. Mean procedure time for DIPS trended towards shorter versus pTIPS (73±22 vs 97±63 min, p=0.35) with a wider range in pTIPS procedure times (50-101 vs 72-262 min). Mean portosystemic gradient reductions after pTIPS (14.8±4.3 to 6.6±2.6 mm Hg) and DIPS (12.4±3.8 to 5.6±2.9) were similar. Ascites improved and variceal bleeding resolved in all patients. Hepatic encephalopathy worsened in 2 pTIPS and 1 DIPS patients. No acute liver failure occurred. Two pTIPS patients died within 30 days due to sepsis and lung cancer. Technical and clinical outcomes were similar between pTIPS and DIPS for sPSS creation. DIPS may be technically preferable due to anatomical issues in some patients with an existing TIPS.