Efficacy, feasibility and safety of TIPS in the treatment of recurrent portal hypertension with variceal bleeding after open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as a treatment for patients with recurrent portal hypertension with variceal bleeding (RPHVB) who have previously undergone open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization (OSED). METHODS: The data were retrospectively retrieved from 39 cirrhotic RPHVB patients who had undergone OSED from August 2015 to December 2020. All patients were treated with TIPS using the Viabahn stent. RESULTS: Out of the 39 patients included in the study, TIPS was successfully performed in 38 patients with a success rate of 97.44%. One patient had a failed attempt due to cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV). Among the 38 patients who underwent TIPS, 33 patients also underwent varicose vein embolization, while the remaining 5 patients only underwent TIPS procedure. A total of 39 Viabahn stents were implanted, with 5 patients receiving stents expanded to their nominal diameter of 8 mm and the remaining 33 patients having their shunt maintained at a diameter of 6 mm. The postoperative hemostasis rate was 97.37% (37/38). The portal vein pressure (PVP) and portal pressure gradient (PPG) decreased significantly from (31.28 ± 6.24) and (20.61 ± 5.14) mmHg to (19.58 ± 4.69) and (9.24 ± 3.07) mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). During the follow-up period, the rebleeding rate was 6.09% (2/29), while the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and shunt dysfunction was 13.79% (4/29) for each. CONCLUSION: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is an effective, feasible and safe treatment for RPHVB patients who have previously undergone OSED. A satisfactory clinical outcome could be achieved with a 6 mm-diameter shunt in most patients.

Mid- to long-term outcomes of initial transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt versus anticoagulation for pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation therapy (AT) is often used as the initial treatment for pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS). However, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an alternative treatment. This study aimed to determine the mid- to long-term outcomes of TIPS versus AT as the initial treatment for PA-induced HSOS. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 61 patients with PA-induced HSOS that were collected between November 2015 and July 2021. The patients were allocated to the TIPS group ( n = 20) or the AT group ( n = 41). These two groups were divided into subgroups according to the severity grading. The clinical data of the patients in both groups were analyzed. Cumulative survival rates were calculated and compared between the two groups and among the subgroups. RESULTS: The clinical symptoms and signs improved or stabilized in 100% of the patients following TIPS and in 85% of the patients following AT at discharge ( P = 0.166). The mortality rate was 0.0% in the TIPS group and 34.1% in the AT group ( P = 0.005). The patients were followed up for 2-69 months (mean, 26.3 ± 20.5 months). In the mild- and moderate-grade subgroups, there was no difference in the cumulative survival rate between the TIPS and AT groups ( P = 0.589 and P = 0.364, respectively). In the severe and very severe-grade subgroups, the cumulative survival rate was higher in the TIPS group than in the AT group ( P = 0.018 and P = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: AT is a suitable initial treatment for mild or moderate PA-induced HSOS, whereas TIPS should be considered the appropriate initial treatment for severe or very severe PA-induced HSOS.

Establishment and validation of a prediction model for the first recurrence of Budd-Chiari syndrome after endovascular treatment: a large sample size, single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the independent risk factors for the first recurrence after endovascular management in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), and to establish a prediction model for predicting recurrence in target patients. METHODS: BCS patients who underwent endovascular treatment in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively examined, with their clinical, laboratory test, and imaging data collected and analyzed. Independent risk factors for recurrence were identified, and a prediction model was established and validated. RESULTS: A total of 450 patients met the filtering criteria, and 102 recurred during the follow-up. The median follow-up time was 87 months, ranging from 1 to 137 months. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year cumulative recurrence rate was 9.11% (6.41-11.73%), 17.35% (13.77-20.78%), 20.10% (16.30-23.72%), and 23.06% (18.86-27.04%), respectively. Liver cirrhosis, ascites, thrombosis, and all the main intrahepatic drainage veins obstructed (obstructed HV + AHV) are independent risk factors, while age is an independent protective factor. The prediction model was named MRBET. Based on the model, the risk score of each patient equals (-0.385981 * Age/10) + (0.0404184 * PT) + (0.0943423 * CRE/10) + (0.0157053 * LDH/10) + (0.592179 * LC) + (0.896034 * Ascites) + (0.691346 * Thrombosis) + (0.886741 * obstructed HV + AHV), and those in the high-risk group (risk score ≥ 1.57) were more likely to recur than those in the low-risk group (HR = 6.911, p < 0.001). The MRBET model is also available as a web tool at https://mrbet.shinyapps.io/dynnomapp . CONCLUSION: Liver cirrhosis, ascites, thrombosis, and obstructed HV + AHV are independent risk factors for the first recurrence; age is an independent protective factor. The prediction model can effectively and conveniently predict the risk of recurrence and screen out patients at a high recurrence risk.

Percutaneous recanalization in hepatic vein-type Budd-Chiari syndrome: hepatic or accessory hepatic vein.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the clinical efficiency and long-term outcomes of hepatic vein (HV) and accessory hepatic vein (AHV) recanalization in patients with HV-type Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients with HV-type BCS underwent AHV recanalization and 94 patients had HV recanalization at our center from January 2012 to December 2019. The treatment effectiveness and long-term outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Technical success was accomplished in all patients, without any procedure-related complications. The clinical success rates were 96.3% (26/27) and 95.7% (90/94) (p = 1.000). In the AHV and HV groups, re-obstruction was observed in 5 and 36 patients, respectively (p = 0.056). The median primary durations of AHV and HV patency were 64 and 49 months, respectively (p = 0.036), while the median secondary durations of AHV and HV patency were 70 and 64 months, respectively (p = 0.134). The median overall survival after AHV and HV recanalization was 73 and 78 months, respectively (p = 0.263). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that AHV could be employed as a replacement for HV, as a hepatic drainage vein, in HV-type BCS patients.

The change in the liver volume after direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome with diffuse hepatic vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in the liver volume and function after direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt (DIPS) in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with diffuse hepatic vein (HV) occlusion. METHODS: The clinical data of 29 patients with BCS who underwent DIPS for intractable ascites caused by diffuse hepatic vein occlusion in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were analysed retrospectively; the patients included 8 males and 21 females, with an average age of 33.3 ± 6.3 years. The patients underwent abdominal CT scanning and liver function examinations before DIPS, and 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after DIPS. The changes of the liver volume and liver function before and after DIPS were compared. RESULTS: All 29 patients underwent DIPS successfully. 28 patients survived during the follow-up of 12-33 months, with a median follow-up of 16 months. The patients' liver function were significantly improved at 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation compared to before the operation (P < 0.05). The liver volumes measured before the operation and 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the operation were 2124.586 ± 420.889 cm3, 1926.263 ± 372.268 cm3, 1480.592 ± 183.061 cm3, 1461.904 ± 153.027 cm3 and 1469.286 ± 148.549 cm3, respectively. Compared with the preoperative liver volume, the liver volume had decreased significantly at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the operation (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the liver volumes at 6 and 12 months after the operation (P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt has achieved satisfactory clinical results in the treatment of BCS with diffuse hepatic vein occlusion. The congestive hepatomegaly was gradually reduced after the operation. The liver volume (which was defined as the clinical efficacy in this study) remained stable after 6 months.

Alterations in Faecal Metagenomics and Serum Metabolomics Indicate Management Strategies for Patients With Budd-Chiari Syndrome.

We investigated the effects of gut microbiota and serum metabolite levels in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (B-CS) and their importance for guiding clinical management strategies. In total, 214 B-CS patients (93 untreated and 121 treated) and 41 healthy controls were enrolled. Gut microbiota and serum metabolome were analysed using shotgun metagenomics and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The gut microbiota of the patients showed abundance of Campylobacter and low levels of Saccharomyces, Deinococcus, and Thiomonas (P < 0.05). Thirty metabolites, including taurocholate and (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, were identified in the patients (VIP > 1, P < 0.05 and FC > 1.2 or FC < 0.83). Random forest (RF) models showed that serum metabolome could effectively identify B-CS from healthy controls and RF-metabolomics exhibited perfect discrimination (AUC = 100%, 95% CI: 100% - 100%), which was significantly higher than that achieved by RF-metagenomics (AUC = 58.48%, 95% CI: 38.46% - 78.5%). Campylobacter concisus and taurocholate showed significant positive correlation in patients with clinical manifestations (P < 0.05). Actinobacteria levels were significantly higher in untreated patients than in treated patients (P < 0.05). Campylobacter and Veillonella levels were significantly higher in treated patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). We identified major alterations in the gut microbiota and serum metabolome of patients with B-CS. Faecal metagenomics- and serum metabolomics-guided management strategies are required for patients with B-CS.

Experts consensus on Chinese nomenclature of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

In China, Budd-Chiari syndrome has been transliterated into six names according to the pronunciation of the letters. To standardize and unify the Chinese names of the disease, multi-disciplinary experts suggest translating Budd-Chiari syndrome into hepatic vein inferior venal cava obstruction syndrome as its Chinese name after reaching a consensus through discussion.

Circular RNA circ_0021093 regulates miR-432/Annexin A2 pathway to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major histological subtype of liver cancer cases. Previous studies showed that circular RNA (circRNA) circ_0021093 was upregulated in HCC, but the regulatory mechanism of circ_0021093 is still rare. The expression levels of circ_0021093, miR-432 and Annexin A2 (ANXA2) were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. The relationship between the overall survival time of HCC patients and circ_0021093 level was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were examined with cell counting kit-8 and transwell assays. Western blot was used to assess the protein expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and ANXA2. In addition, loss- or gain-of-function experiments and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to probe the relationship between miR-432 and circ_0021093 or ANXA2. The influences of circ_0021093 silencing in vivo were measured by using xenograft models. Circ_0021093 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cells, and its level was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. Functional experiments showed that knockdown of circ_0021093 repressed proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by regulating miR-432, while upregulation of circ_0021093 reversed these results. Moreover, miR-432 negatively regulated ANXA2 expression in HCC, and introduction of ANXA2 could abolish overexpression of miR-432-induced effects on HCC cells. Collectively, circ_0021093 boosted HCC progression via regulating proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells by acting as competing endogenous RNA to sponge miR-432.

Long-term outcomes of interventional treatment for Budd-Chiari syndrome with chronic accessory hepatic vein obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Interventional treatment is the main therapy for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with hepatic vein obstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of endovascular management for BCS with chronic accessory hepatic vein (AHV) obstruction. METHODS: In total, 68 patients with primary BCS who underwent AHV dilation with or without stenting from January 2008 to December 2018 were included in this retrospective study. The technical success rate and complications were recorded. Cumulative patency rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier curves and compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all 68 patients, and AHV patency was confirmed by postoperative angiography. Fifty-two patients underwent balloon dilation alone and 16 underwent adjunctive stent implantation. During a mean follow-up period of 60.2 ± 30.5 months, AHV reocclusion occurred in 14 patients in the balloon group and four patients in the stent group (χ2 = 0.034, P = 0.855). The overall cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year primary and secondary AHV patency rates were 90.6, 76.6, 72.0, and 68.2% and 98.4, 91.4, 89.2, and 89.2%, respectively. The cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year primary patency rates of the AHV were 89.8, 73.8, 71.2, and 71.2% in the balloon group and 93.3, 86.2, 75.4, and 60.3% in the stent group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.934). CONCLUSION: Interventional treatment of BCS with chronic AHV obstruction has good long-term outcomes. Both balloon dilation alone and adjunctive stent implantation can be used for AHV recanalization.

Hypertension Caused by Renal Arteriovenous Fistula with Multiple Renal Artery Aneurysms.

Renal arteriovenous fistula with renal artery aneurysms and dilated renal veins presents as an infrequent lesion. Endovascular therapy has recently been considered the first-line treatment for these conditions. We report a case of a patient with idiopathic renal arteriovenous fistula concomitant with multiple renal artery aneurysms that was successfully treated by the placement of a covered stent.

Review of Budd-Chiari Syndrome.

This study aims to report the Budd-Chiari syndrome clinical research status and progress that has occurred in over nearly 30 years in China, and emphasize the value of imaging in facilitating the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome based on more than 2500 cases. Findings on ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and digital subtraction angiography images are used to propose new Budd-Chiari syndrome types and subtypes. The new subtype classification presented here has important value for guiding interventional treatment. This study also proposes a new concept of anatomical and functional obstruction of hepatic vein that stresses the compensatory value of accessory hepatic vein and azygos vein and describes the risk of manipulation of the communication branch of inferior vena cava obstruction in interventional therapy.

DDX24 Mutations Associated With Malformations of Major Vessels to the Viscera.

Vascular malformations present diagnostic and treatment challenges. In particular, malformations of vessels to the viscera are often diagnosed late or incorrectly due to the insidious onset and deep location of the disease. Therefore, a better knowledge of the genetic mutations underlying such diseases is needed. Here, we evaluated a four-generation family carrying vascular malformations of major vessels that affect multiple organs, which we named "multiorgan venous and lymphatic defect" (MOVLD) syndrome. Genetic analyses identified an association between a mutation in DEAD-box helicase 24 (DDX24), a gene for which the function is largely unknown, and MOVLD. Next, we screened 161 patients with sporadic vascular malformations of similar phenotype to our MOVLD family and found the same mutation or one of the two additional DDX24 mutations in 26 cases. Structural modeling revealed that two of the mutations are located within the adenosine triphosphate-binding domain of DDX24. Knockdown of DDX24 expression in endothelial cells resulted in elevated migration and tube formation. Transcriptomic analysis linked DDX24 to vascular system-related functions. Conclusion: Our results provide a link between DDX24 and vascular malformation and indicate a crucial role for DDX24 in endothelial cell functions; these findings create an opportunity for genetic diagnosis and therapeutic targeting of malformations of vessels to the viscera.

The application and efficacy of stent place for Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Objective To evaluate the application value and efficacy on stent place for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). Methods From January 1990 to May 2017, 2228 patients with BCS were admitted to our institution. The mean age was 43.3 years. Stents were placed in inferior vena cava (IVC), hepatic vein (HV), or both after balloon dilation. During follow-up period, the patency of stent was evaluated by ultrasound regularly and the clinic sign was surveyed by letter, telephone or clinic visit. The restenosis of stent were treated with balloon dilatation and thrombolysis to restore the its function. Results IVC type was diagnosed in 1492 cases, HV type in 510 cases, and mixed type in 226 cases. Eighteen patients aborted treatment because of economic reasons, advanced liver cancer, severe scoliosis, or both bilateral iliac veins and total IVC occlusion. Among the other 2210 cases who underwent endovascular therapy, stents were implanted into IVC in 339 cases, HV in 97 cases, mixed type in 64 cases. The rate of restenosis in IVC stent was 11.50% (39/339). After repeat angioplasty, the long-term patency rate reached to 98.12%. The incidence of HV occlusion caused by IVC stent was 12.09% (n = 41). Restenosis occurred in 47 cases (48.45%) after HV stent placement. However, the 5-year patency rate was 91.75% (89/97) after repeat dilatation and stent re-implantation. The incidence of IVC obstruction caused by HV was 3.33% (3 cases). Conclusion IVC stent placement appears to be an effective treatment for the cases of IVC segmental occlusion, and at the same time, the stent has the dual role of compression and fixation of thrombus and support of lumen. The HV and accessory hepatic vein obstruction could happen when the IVC stent crossed these veins ostium. The incidence of the stent restenosis in the HV was higher than that in the IVC.

Number and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with primary Budd-Chiari syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Primary Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is associated with vascular endothelial injury. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) provide an endogenous mechanism to repair endothelial injury. This study investigated the levels and functionality of EPCs in patients with primary BCS. METHODS: EPCs (CD34+/CD133+/KDR+) were quantified in 82 patients with primary BCS (inferior vena cava type: n=19; hepatic vein type: n=22; and mixed type: n=41), 10 cirrhosis controls (CC group) and 10 age-matched healthy controls (HC group), using flow cytometry. EPCs proliferation was detected by MTT assay, adhesion by adhesion activity assay, and migration capacity by Transwell assay. RESULTS: EPCs levels were significantly lower in the BCS group (0.020±0.005%) than in the CC and HC groups (0.260±0.201%, 0.038±0.007%; P<0.001 for each). EPCs cultured in vitro from BCS and CC groups had, respectively, lower proliferation activity (0.20±0.04, 0.23±0.06 vs 0.58±0.07, each P<0.001), adhesion activity (15.8±1.7, 18.2±4.3 vs 35.0±2.5 cells/random microscopic field (RMF), each P<0.001) and migration activity (16.1±1.5, 16.7±3.0 vs 23.9±2.0 cells/RMF, each P<0.001) than in the HC group. EPCs functionality did not significantly differ between the BCS and CC groups. The numbers and functions of EPCs did not significantly differ among patients with inferior vena cava type, hepatic vein type and mixed type of BCS. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary BCS had lower EPCs levels, with less proliferation, adhesion and migration activities. These findings suggest that lower levels of less functional EPCs may be associated with venous occlusion in primary BCS patients.

Circulating microRNA profile in patients with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava.

Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (MOVC) is a common type of Budd-Chiari syndrome. However, the pathogenesis of MOVC has not been fully elucidated. Recent studies demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are involved in multiple diseases. To the best of our knowledge, specific changes in the expression of miRNAs in MOVC patients have not been previously assessed. The present study used a microarray analysis, followed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) validation, with the aim to access the miRNA expression levels in the plasma of 34 MOVC patients, compared with those in healthy controls. The results revealed a total of 16 differentially expressed miRNAs in MOVC patients. Subsequently, RT-qPCR analysis verified the statistically consistent expression of 5 selected miRNAs (miR-125a-5p, miR-133b, miR-423-5p, miR-1228-5p and miR-1266), in line with the results of the microarray analysis. These 5 miRNAs, which were described as crucial regulators in numerous biological processes and vascular diseases, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MOVC. Bioinformatics analysis of target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that these predicted targets were significantly enriched and involved in several key signaling pathways important for MOVC, including the ErbB, Wnt, MAPK and VEGF signaling pathway. In conclusion, miRNAs may involve in multiple signaling pathways contributing to the pathological processes of MOVC. The present study offers an intriguing new perspective on the involvement of miRNAs in MOVC; however, the precise underlying mechanisms require further validation.

Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes of Endovascular Management for Membranous and Segmental Inferior Vena Cava Obstruction in Patients With Primary Budd-Chiari Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular management is important for the treatment of primary Budd-Chiari syndrome, which is caused by inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction. The aims of this study were to compare long-term outcomes of endovascular management for primary Budd-Chiari syndrome patients with membranous obstruction of IVC (MOVC) and segmental obstruction of IVC (SOVC) and explore the optimal endovascular strategy for these conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical data of 265 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome who received endovascular management (MOVC group, n=136; SOVC group, n = 129) were retrospectively reviewed. Cumulative IVC patency rates were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. In total, 245 patients were followed up from 3 to 72 months after treatment. The difference of long-term outcomes of balloon dilation alone versus stent placement was not significant in each group. The overall cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year primary IVC patency rates were 98.3%, 90.7%, and 83.8% in the MOVC group and 88.3%, 79.1%, and 67.9% in the SOVC group (P=0.007), respectively. The long-term IVC patency rates were lower in the SOVC group than in the MOVC group for patients who underwent balloon dilation alone (P=0.001) and did not significantly differ for patients who underwent stent placement between both the groups (P=0.687). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term treatment outcome of endovascular management was better for primary Budd-Chiari syndrome patients with MOVC than for those with SOVC. Balloon dilation alone could be the optimal treatment for patients with MOVC. However, stent placement should be more strongly recommended for patients with SOVC.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome in Young Chinese: Clinical Characteristics, Etiology and Outcome of Recanalization from a Single Center.

PURPOSE: We aimed to characterize the clinical profile, etiology, and outcomes of young Chinese patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome treated with recanalization. METHODS: A total of 35 consecutive young patients (≤25 years of age) with primary Budd-Chiari syndrome treated with recanalization at our center were enrolled in this study between March 2011 and December 2014. Data on baseline information, etiology tests, therapeutic recanalization strategies, and follow-up were collected. RESULTS: The most common clinical feature was ascites, present in 33 cases (94%). Hepatic vein obstruction was present in 60% (21/35) of patients, inferior vena cava obstruction in 3% (1/35), and combined obstruction in 37% (13/35). The most common risk factor for thrombosis was hyperhomocysteinemia (14/35, 40%). Recanalization was technically successful in 32 of 35 patients (91%), and clinically successful in 28 of these 32 patients (88%). The cumulative 1- and 3-year primary patency rates were 75.2 and 54.3%, respectively. The cumulative 1- and 3-year secondary patency rates were 89.3 and 89.3%, respectively. The cumulative 1- and 3-year survival rates were 96.9 and 93.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, the most common type of lesion was hepatic vein obstruction, the most common thrombotic risk factor was hyperhomocysteinemia, and recanalization resulted in good mid-term outcomes in young Chinese patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

[Application of suprarenal inferior vena cava filter placement in patients with venous thromboembolism].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of suprarenal inferior vena cava (IVC) filter implantation in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: Between May 2006 and December 2014, 28 patients with VTE underwent suprarenal IVC filter implantation, anticoagulant treatment and/or catheter-directed thrombolysis at the affiliated hospital of Xuzhou medical college. Follow up examination with color Doppler ultrasound was taken after treatment to eassess the patency of IVC. RESULTS: One filter was successfully implanted in suprarenal IVC in each patient intraoperatively. The filter was retrieved in 26 patients after indwelling of 5 to 17 (mean 11 ± 3) days. The filter was permanently indwelled in 2 patients. There were no complications of filter tilt and migration in all cases. Twenty eight patients were followed up for 2 to 104 (mean 34 ± 34) months. None of the 2 patients whose filters were permanently indwelled presented complications of recurrent pulmonary embolism and IVC occlusion due to the filter. Among 26 patients whose filters were retrieved, the IVC was patent. CONCLUSION: Suprarenal IVC filter placement is a safe and effective method in the treatment of VTE.

[MRV comparison of the angle between the right hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava for patients with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are differences in both the right hepatic vein (RHV) morphology and the size of the angle between the inferior vena cava and the RHV in patients with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (MOVC),in healthy individuals and in patients with cinhosis (HLC), in order to help guide development of an effective interventional treatment program. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n=248) were divided into the following three groups: group A (control; n=94), group B (MOVC patients; n=68), group C (HLC patients; n=86). The angle between the hepatic vein and inferior vena cava was measured and defined as the T value. The morphology of the RHV was classified as N, U, or I. The difference of the constituent ratio was compared among the three groups for the T value and the angle type.Measurement data was calculated as x ± s,and groups were compared using one-way ANOVA; count data was calculated as relative number, and groups were compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The average T value of group B was significantly higher than that of group A (56.1 ± 13.7 vs. 49.3 ± 7.8, P=0.010) and of group C (vs. 51.5 ± 10.0, P < 0.001); the difference was statistically significant (F=8.750, P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the groups A and C.N-type proportion of B group was 48.5% (33/68), greater than that of group A(16.0%,15/94) and C (16.3%, 14/86), x² = 20.1, x² =18.6.U-type proportion of B group was 11.8% (8/68), smaller than that of groups A (28.7%,27/94) and C (37.2%, 32/86), 2 2 = 6.70, x² =12.8, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). For groups A and C, the N and U types were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The angle between the RHV and the inferior vena cava in MOVC patients is morphologically different from that in healthy humans, with the angle value in MOVC patients being slightly larger. However, this difference is irrelevant to cirrhosis.