Combined Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Plus Variceal Obliteration versus Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Alone for the Management of Gastric Varices: Comparative Single-Center Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and clinical outcomes of combined transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) plus variceal obliteration to those of TIPS alone for the treatment of gastric varices (GVs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study of 40 patients with bleeding or high-risk GVs between 2008 and 2019 was performed. The patients were treated with combined therapy (n = 18) or TIPS alone (n = 22). There were no significant differences in age, sex, model for end-stage liver disease score, or GV type between the groups. The primary outcomes were the rates of GV eradication and rebleeding. The secondary outcomes included portal hypertensive complications and hepatic encephalopathy. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 15.4 months for the combined therapy group and 22.9 months for the TIPS group (P = .32). After combined therapy, there was a higher rate of GV eradication (92% vs 47%, P = .01) and a trend toward a lower rate of GV rebleeding (0% vs 23%, P = .056). The estimated rebleeding rates were 0% versus 5% at 3 months, 0% versus 11% at 6 months, 0% versus 18% at 1 year, and 0% versus 38% at 2 years after combined therapy and TIPS, respectively (P = .077). There was no difference in ascites (13% vs 11%, P = .63), hepatic encephalopathy (47% vs 55%, P = .44), or esophageal variceal bleeding (0% vs 0%, P > .999) after the procedure between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The GV eradication rate is significantly higher after combined therapy, with no associated increase in portal hypertensive complications. This translates to a clinically meaningful trend toward a reduction in GV rebleeding. The value of a combined treatment strategy should be prospectively studied in a larger cohort to determine the optimal management of GVs.

High Incidence of Hepatic Encephalopathy After Viatorr Controlled Expansion Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation.

BACKGROUND: The Viatorr Controlled Expansion (VCX) stent-graft was designed to mitigate hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. AIMS: To determine the incidence and degree of HE after VCX TIPS. METHODS: Thirty-three patients (M:F 17:16, mean age 58 years, mean MELD score 12) who underwent VCX TIPS between 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively studied. 11/33 (33%) patients had medically controlled pre-TIPS HE. TIPS indications included variceal hemorrhage (n = 12, 30%) and ascites (n = 21, 70%). Measured outcomes were post-TIPS HE (overall, recurrent, de novo) graded using the West Haven system, time-to-HE occurrence, HE-related hospitalization rate, and TIPS reduction rate. RESULTS: VCX TIPS were 8 mm in 28/33 (85%) and 10 mm in 5/33 (15%). Mean final portosystemic pressure gradient was 6 mmHg. Cumulative HE incidence post-TIPS was 61% (20/33). 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month HE rates were 24%, 30%, 53%, and 61% over 247-day median follow-up. Median time-to-HE was 180 days. HE grades spanned grade 1 (n = 6), grade 2 (n = 8), and grade 3 (n = 6); 9 and 11 cases were recurrent and de novo HE, respectively. Medication non-compliance/infection was implicated in HE in 9/20 (45%) cases. Medical therapy addressed HE in 18/20 (90%) cases; however, HE still resulted in 39 hospitalizations among 13 patients, and median time to first hospitalization was 75 days. Shunt reduction was necessary in 2 (10%) cases of medically refractory HE. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HE after VCX TIPS is high. Though HE symptoms may be medically controlled, hospitalization rates are high, and shunt reduction may be necessary.

Gastric Varices Bleed at Lower Portosystemic Pressure Gradients than Esophageal Varices.

PURPOSE: To quantify and compare portosystemic pressure gradients (PSGs) between bleeding esophageal varices (EV) and gastric varices (GV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single-center, retrospective study, 149 patients with variceal bleeding (90 men, 59 women, mean age 52 y) with EV (n = 69; 46%) or GV (n = 80; 54%) were selected from 320 consecutive patients who underwent successful transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation from 1998 to 2016. GV were subcategorized using the Sarin classification as gastroesophageal varices (GEV) (n = 57) or isolated gastric varices (IGV) (n = 23). PSG before TIPS was measured from the main portal vein to the right atrium. PSGs were compared across EV, GEV, and IGV groups using 1-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Overall mean baseline PSG was 21 mm Hg ± 6. PSG was significantly higher in patients with EV versus GV (23 mm Hg vs 19 mm Hg; P < .001). Mean PSG was highest among EV (23 mm Hg) with lower PSGs identified for GEV (20 mm Hg) and IGV (16 mm Hg); this difference was statistically significant (P < .001). Among 95 acute bleeding cases, a similar pattern was evident (EV 23 mm Hg vs GEV mm Hg 20 vs IGV 17 mm Hg; P < .001). At baseline PSG < 12 mm Hg, 13% (3/23) of IGV bled versus 9% (5/57) of GEV and 3% (2/69) of EVs (P = .169). Mean final PSG after TIPS was 8 mm Hg (IGV 6 mm Hg vs EV and GEV 8 mm Hg; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: GV bleed at lower PSGs than EV. EV, GEV, and IGV bleeding is associated with successively lower PSGs. These findings highlight distinct physiology, anatomy, and behavior of GV compared with EV.

Ablative Liver Partition and Portal Vein Embolization: Proof-of-Concept Testing in a Rabbit Model.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that a modified approach to portal vein embolization (PVE)-termed ablative liver partition (ALP) and PVE (ALP-PVE)-is feasible and results in greater future liver remnant (FLR) growth compared with PVE alone in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen rabbits (median weight, 2.7 kg) underwent PVE (n = 9) or ALP-PVE (n = 9). PVE to cranial liver lobes was performed with 100-300-µm microspheres and metallic coils; the caudal lobe was spared as the FLR. In the ALP-PVE cohort, a liver partition between cranial and caudal lobes was created by using microwave ablation (40 W, 1 min). Animals were euthanized and livers were harvested on postprocedure day 7. Caudal and cranial liver lobes were weighed after 4 weeks of oven drying. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry was used to quantify liver mitotic index. ALP-PVE feasibility was determined based on procedure technical success. Standardized FLR (sFLR; ie, FLR divided by whole liver weight) and mitotic index were compared between PVE and ALP-PVE groups by two-tailed independent-samples Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: One PVE-group rabbit died during anesthesia induction and was excluded from technical success calculation. Eight of 8 (100%) and 8 of 9 rabbits (89%) underwent technically successful PVE and ALP-PVE, respectively. There was no difference in sex or weight distribution between groups. sFLR (0.32 vs 0.29; P = .022) and mitotic index (17.5% vs 6.2%; P = .051) were higher in ALP-PVE vs PVE caudal lobes when the first "learning-curve" case from each group was excluded. CONCLUSIONS: ALP-PVE is feasible and may stimulate greater FLR growth compared with PVE in a rabbit model.

Albumin-Bilirubin and Platelet-Albumin-Bilirubin Grades Accurately Predict Overall Survival in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) grades in predicting overall survival in high-risk patients undergoing conventional transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 180 high-risk patients (142 men, 59 y ± 9) between April 2007 and January 2015. Patients were considered high-risk based on laboratory abnormalities before the procedure (bilirubin > 2.0 mg/dL, albumin < 3.5 mg/dL, platelet count < 60,000/mL, creatinine > 1.2 mg/dL); presence of ascites, encephalopathy, portal vein thrombus, or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score > 15. Serum albumin, bilirubin, and platelet values were used to determine ALBI and PALBI grades. Overall survival was stratified by ALBI and PALBI grades with substratification by Child-Pugh class (CPC) and Barcelona Liver Clinic Cancer (BCLC) stage using Kaplan-Meier analysis. C-index was used to determine discriminatory ability and survival prediction accuracy. RESULTS: Median survival for 79 ALBI grade 2 patients and 101 ALBI grade 3 patients was 20.3 and 10.7 months, respectively (P < .0001). Median survival for 30 PALBI grade 2 and 144 PALBI grade 3 patients was 20.3 and 12.9 months, respectively (P = .0667). Substratification yielded distinct ALBI grade survival curves for CPC B (P = .0022, C-index 0.892), BCLC A (P = .0308, C-index 0.887), and BCLC C (P = .0287, C-index 0.839). PALBI grade demonstrated distinct survival curves for BCLC A (P = 0.0229, C-index 0.869). CPC yielded distinct survival curves for the entire cohort (P = .0019) but not when substratified by BCLC stage (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: ALBI and PALBI grades are accurate survival metrics in high-risk patients undergoing conventional transarterial chemoembolization for HCC. Use of these scores allows for more refined survival stratification within CPC and BCLC stage.

Liver Track Embolization After Islet Cell Transplant: Comparison of Two Techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of microfibrillar collagen paste with those of gelatin sponge for liver track embolization after islet cell transplants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single-institution, retrospective study, 37 patients underwent 66 islet cell transplants from January 2005 through October 2015. Transplants were performed with 6-French transhepatic access, systemic anticoagulation, pretransplant and posttransplant portal venous pressure measurement, and image-guided liver track embolization with gelatin sponge (2005-2011) or microfibrillar collagen paste (2012-2015). The findings on 20 patients (two men, 18 women; mean age, 48 years) who underwent 35 gelatin sponge embolizations were compared with the findings on 13 patients (six men, seven women; mean age, 48 years) who underwent 22 microfibrillar collagen paste embolizations (four patients, nine procedures without embolization excluded). Medical record review was used to compare laboratory test results, portal venous pressures, and 30-day adverse bleeding events (classified according to Society of Interventional Radiology and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria) between groups. RESULTS: The technical success rates were 100% in the microfibrillar collagen paste group and 91% in the gelatin sponge group. Group characteristics were similar, there being no differences in platelet count, partial thromboplastin time, or number of islet cell transplants per patient (p > 0.05). A statistical difference in international normalized ratio (1.0 versus 1.1) was not clinically significant (p = 0.012). Posttransplant portal venous pressure was slightly higher among patients treated with gelatin sponge (13 versus 9 mm Hg, p = 0.002). No bleeding occurred after microfibrillar collagen paste embolization, whereas nine bleeding events followed gelatin sponge embolization (0% versus 26%, p = 0.020). In univariate comparison of bleeding and nonbleeding groups, the use of gelatin sponge was statistically associated with postprocedure hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Microfibrillar collagen paste is effective and safe for liver track embolization to prevent bleeding after islet cell transplants. It appears to be more efficacious than gelatin sponge.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation and Variceal Coil or Plug Embolization Ineffectively Attain Gastric Variceal Decompression or Occlusion: Results of a 26-Patient Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation with or without variceal coil and/or plug embolization in decompressing or occluding gastric varices (GVs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 78 patients with GV bleeding who underwent TIPS creation with or without embolotherapy with metallic coils and/or plugs from 1999 to 2014 were identified. Individuals who had a bare-metal TIPS and/or lacked post-TIPS imaging or endoscopic follow-up were excluded. The final cohort included 26 patients (16 men; median age, 54 y; median Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, 16). Variceal types, supplying vessels, and postprocedure GV patency on cross-sectional imaging or endoscopy were assessed. The primary study outcome measure was GV patency rate as a surrogate for efficacy of TIPS creation with or without embolization. RESULTS: GVs included gastroesophageal varix types 1 (n = 10) and 2 (n = 2), isolated GV types 1 (n = 4) and 2 (n = 2), and unspecified (n = 8). TIPS creation resulted in a median final portosystemic pressure gradient of 7 mm Hg. Multiple GV-supplying vessels (left/posterior/short gastric veins) were present in 65% of patients (n = 17). Embolization was performed in 69% (n = 18). Thirteen, four, and nine patients had imaging, endoscopic, or both imaging/endoscopic follow-up. GV patency rate was 65% (n = 17; 61%/75% with/without embolization) at a median of 128.5 days (range, 1-1,295 d) after TIPS creation. Incidence of recurrent bleeding was 27% (n = 7), and the 90-day mortality rate was 15% (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, most GVs showed persistent patency despite TIPS decompression and variceal embolization, and the incidence of recurrent bleeding was high. The findings suggest suboptimal efficacy for GVs, and indicate a need for study of alternative or adjunctive approaches to GV treatment, such as chemical obliteration.

Conventional Ethiodized Oil Transarterial Chemoembolization for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Contemporary Single-Center Review of Clinical Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in contemporary clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution retrospective study, 188 patients underwent conventional TACE for HCC between 2007 and 2013. Medical record and imaging review was used to collect baseline demographic and disease data, tumor response, time to progression (TTP), and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes, as well as transplant-free survival, calculated from the time of the first conventional TACE treatment. Data were censored in April 2014. RESULTS: The study cohort included 140 men and 48 women (mean age, 60 years; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] stage 0 = 5%, BCLC stage A = 41%, BCLC stage B = 28%, BCLC stage C = 15%, and BCLC stage D = 11%) with 207 index tumors (mean size, 4.0 cm; 11% with portal vein invasion) treated with a mean of 1.6 selective (79%) or lobar (21%) conventional TACE sessions. Concurrent thermal ablation was performed for 19% of patients. Objective response rates included size response in 29% (World Health Organization) and 28% (Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumors [RECIST]) of patients, and necrosis response in 79% (European Association for the Study of the Liver) and 70% (modified RECIST) of patients. Median local TTP, distant site TTP, local PFS, and other site PFS were 51.7, 11.2, 10.8, and 10.5 months. Eighteen percent of patients underwent liver transplantation; 48% of United Network for Organ Sharing stage T3 tumors were downstaged to stage T2. Transplant-free survival for the entire cohort was 16.8 months (not reached, 33.9, 16.0, 4.4, and 6.9 months for BCLC stages 0, A, B, C, and D, respectively). Postembolization syndrome requiring extended hospital stay or readmission occurred in only 6% of patients. CONCLUSION: Conventional TACE is effective and safe for HCC therapy and may confer a survival benefit. The current data are in line with reported conventional TACE outcomes, and the minor postembolization syndrome incidence supports the low morbidity of this approach.

Obesity Increases the Risk of Primary Nonfunction and Early Access Loss, and Decreases Overall Patency in Patients Who Underwent Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow Device Placement.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis reliable outflow (HeRO) catheters were introduced in 2008, and have been since providing a reliable alternative for hemodialysis patients who are deemed "access challenged." However, its outcomes have not been extensively investigated due to its relatively young age. Here, we report our 6-year single institution experience, and demonstrate the significant impact of obesity on HeRO graft outcomes, an aspect not previously studied in the literature. METHODS: Patients who underwent HeRO graft placement at the University of Illinois Hospital between April 2009 and August 2015 were included retrospectively. Data were collected from patients' electronic medical records and analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients who underwent 34 HeRO catheter placements were included. Mean age was 47 ± 12 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.75 ± 10.22. Median follow-up was 635 days. Overall catheter-related complications were thrombosis (70.59%), infection (20.59%), arterial steal (8.82%), and pseudoaneurysms requiring intervention (8.82%). Overall primary and secondary patency rates after 6 and 12 months were 31.25%, 25%, 78.13%, and 71.86%, respectively. Primary nonfunction rate was 14.7%. Obese patients had significantly higher rate of primary nonfunction (38.46% vs. 0%, P = 0.0046), and relative risk 3.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.01-6.52). They also had a significantly decreased rate of graft patency after 12 months (10.53% vs. 53.85%, P = 0.0227), leading to a relative risk of "early" graft loss within 1 year of 5.12 (95% CI 1.26-20.83). Overall median graft patency in obese patients was significantly shorter than that of nonobese patients (311 vs. 1295 days, P = 0.014). BMI, as a continuous variable, was a significant predictor of primary nonfunction (P = 0.046) and early graft loss (0.020) when tested against age, sex, race, and diabetes in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: HeRO catheters offer a reliable, and possibly the last, alternative in hemodialysis access-challenged patients. In our population, obesity was a significant risk factor for primary nonfunction, early graft loss, and a shorter overall graft patency. BMI, as a continuous variable, can serve as a predictor of primary nonfunction and early graft loss after adjustment for age, race, sex, and diabetes. Obesity's effect on HeRO catheters has not been amply addressed; therefore further prospective studies are warranted.

Root Cause Analysis of Rebleeding Events following Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Variceal Hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To identify fundamental causes underlying recurrent variceal hemorrhage (VH) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to ascertain opportunities for improvement of TIPS-based management of VH and prevention of rebleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study comprised 166 patients (male-to-female ratio 101:65; median age, 52 y; median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, 14) who had TIPS created for VH in 1998-2014. Medical record review was used to identify patients who had recurrent VH events, and root cause analysis allowed identification of the most probable causal factors. A 5-person interventional radiology physician group generated quality improvement (QI) recommendations for process changes to address causal factors, with consensus achieved using a modified Delphi method. RESULTS: Variceal rebleeding occurred after TIPS in 25 (15%) patients. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year variceal rebleeding incidence was 17%, 21%, and 21%, respectively. Variceal rebleeding was associated with high 90-day all-cause mortality incidence (10/25; 40%). Male sex (P = .018) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (P = .009) were statistically associated with variceal rebleeding. The most common primary and secondary causes of recurrent VH were lack of or insufficient variceal embolization (64%). Other causal factors included TIPS stenosis or occlusion (28%) with recurrent portosystemic gradient (PSG) elevation (20%), severe coagulopathy (20%), inadequate portosystemic gradient reduction (12%), and TIPS underdilation (4%). To potentially address variceal rebleeding, 14 preventive QI recommendations were developed. CONCLUSIONS: Although recurrent VH rates after TIPS are not trivial, rebleeding may be related to addressable underlying causal factors. Further investigation may assess the efficacy of QI-based procedure methodologic enhancements in reducing rebleeding incidence after TIPS.

Should transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt stent grafts be underdilated?

Although underdilation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) stent grafts is commonly performed to limit complications arising from excessive portosystemic shunting, it is uncertain whether underdilated stents retain their smaller diameter indefinitely or eventually expand to nominal caliber. In this investigation, postprocedure computed tomography (CT) was used to compare diameters of underdilated TIPSs and TIPSs expanded to a nominal diameter of 10 mm in 61 cases. The groups had comparable shunt diameters on post-TIPS imaging (9.8 mm vs 9.9 mm; P = .079), with similar incidences of hepatic encephalopathy (34% vs 20%; P = .372), indicating stent self-expansion over time, and bringing into question the advantages of underdilation for customization of shunt caliber.

Clearing the Confusion over Hepatic Encephalopathy After TIPS Creation: Incidence, Prognostic Factors, and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence, prognostic factors, and clinical outcomes of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution retrospective study, 191 patients (m:f = 114:77, median age 54 years, median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease or MELD score 14) who underwent TIPS creation between 1999 and 2013 were studied. Medical record review was used to identify demographic characteristics, liver disease, procedure, and outcome data. Post-TIPS HE within 30 days was defined by new mental status changes and was graded according to the West Haven classification system. The influence of data parameters on HE occurrence and 90-day mortality was assessed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: TIPS was successfully created with hemodynamic success in 99 % of cases. Median final PSG was 7 mmHg. HE incidence within 30 days was 42 % (81/191; 22 % de novo, 12 % stable, and 8 % worsening). Degrees of HE included grade 1 (46 %), grade 2 (29 %), grade 3 (18 %), and grade 4 (7 %). Medical therapy typically addressed HE, and shunt reduction was necessary in only three cases. MELD score (P = 0.020) and age (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with HE development on multivariate analysis. Occurrence of de novo HE post-TIPS did not associate with 90-day mortality (P = 0.400), in contrast to worsening HE (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of post-TIPS HE is non-trivial, but symptoms are typically mild and medically managed. HE rates are higher in older patients and those with worse liver function and should be contemplated when counseling on expected TIPS outcomes and post-procedure course.

MELD score for prediction of survival after emergent TIPS for acute variceal hemorrhage: derivation and validation in a 101-patient cohort.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: The Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has not been derived and validated for the emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) population. We sought to identify predictive factors for survival among emergent TIPS patients, and to substantiate MELD for outcomes prognostication in this population. RESULTS: 101 patients with acute life threatening variceal hemorrhage underwent emergent TIPS (defined by failed endoscopic therapy for active bleeding, acute hemoglobin drop, ≥ 2-unit transfusion requirement, and/or vasopressor need) at between 1998-2013. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and procedure parameters were analyzed for correlation with mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression to derive the prognostic value of MELD constituents. Area under receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curves was used to assess the capability of MELD prediction of mortality. TIPS were created 119 ± 167 h after initial bleeding events. Hemodynamic success was achieved in 90%. Median final portosystemic pressure gradient was 8 mmHg. Variceal rebleeding incidence was 21%. The four original MELD components showed significant correlation with mortality on multivariate Cox regression: baseline bilirubin (regression coefficient 0.366), creatinine (0.621), international normalized ratio (1.111), and liver disease etiology (0.808), validating the MELD system for emergent cases. No other significant predictive parameters were identified. MELD was an excellent predictor of 90-day mortality in the emergent TIPS population (AUROC = 0.842, 95% CI 0.755-0.928). CONCLUSIONS: Based on independent derivation of prognostic constituents and confirmation of predictive accuracy, MELD is a valid and reliable metric for risk stratification and survival projection after emergent TIPS.

Characteristics of primary and secondary hepatic malignancies associated with hepatopulmonary shunting.

PURPOSE: To identify liver tumor characteristics associated with low (<10%), intermediate (10%-20%), and high (>20%) lung shunt fraction (LSF) at technetium 99m ((99m)Tc) macroaggregated albumin (MAA) imaging performed before yttrium 90 ((90)Y) radioembolization (RE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, 141 patients (70 with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC], 71 with other tumors; 95 men, 45 women; median age, 61 years) underwent mapping arteriography with (99m)Tc-MAA LSF calculation before (90)Y RE from 2006 to 2012. Tumor characteristics, including tumor type, index lesion size and morphologic structure (circumscribed, infiltrative), focality (solitary oligonodular, multinodular), disease distribution (unilobar, bilobar), tumor burden (≤50%, 50%), portal vein invasion (present, absent), and arterioportal shunting (present, absent) were correlated with (99m)Tc-MAA imaging-calculated LSFs at univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Median LSF was 8.4% (HCC, 9.0%; other tumors, 8.3%). LSF greater than 20% occurred in 14% of HCCs, but only in 3% of other tumors (P = .004). For HCC, tumor morphologic structure (P = .022), tumor burden (P < .001), main portal vein invasion (P = .033), and arterioportal shunting (P < .001) were significantly associated with different LSF categories at univariate analysis; infiltrative morphologic structure, tumor burden greater than 50%, portal vein invasion, and shunting had confirmed association with high LSF at multivariate analysis. For other liver tumors, tumor size (P = .001) and tumor burden (P = .003) were significantly associated with different LSF categories at univariate analysis. Multivariate confirmation was precluded by small sample size. Patients underwent a median of one (90)Y RE session (range, one to six), with median per-treatment and cumulative lung doses of 6.0 Gy and 8.5 Gy, respectively. CONCLUSION: LSF greater than 20% periodically occurs in HCC but is uncommon in other liver tumors. Specific tumor characteristics are associated with LSF greater than 20% and may indicate need for interventions to reduce LSF.

Characterization of liver function parameter alterations after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation and association with early mortality.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to characterize the temporal evolution and clinical impact of laboratory liver function parameters after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution retrospective study, 157 patients (98 men and 59 women; median age, 55 years) underwent TIPS between 2000 and 2012 and had 1-month hepatobiliary laboratory follow-up. Medical record review was used to compare baseline, peak, and low bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, and international normalized ratio (INR) levels within 30 days after TIPS in surviving and dying patients to assess laboratory responses to shunt creation. RESULTS: TIPSs were created with a hemodynamic success rate of 98%, with median pressure gradient reduction of 13 mm Hg. Ninety-day mortality was 21%. Hepatobiliary laboratory values showed significant increases in the days after TIPS compared with baseline levels (bilirubin, 1.6 vs 3.5 mg/dL; AST, 49 vs 149 U/L; ALT, 26 vs 90 U/L; alkaline phosphatase, 97 vs 177 U/L; and INR, 1.5 vs 2.0; p<0.05 in all cases). Patients surviving to 90 days experienced statistically significant but transient laboratory value elevations-up to twofold over baseline-within days of TIPS, whereas patients dying within 90 days experienced three-to fourfold increases over a longer period that did not return to baseline. Differences in laboratory evolution were statistically significant in surviving versus dying patients. CONCLUSION: TIPS results in acute transient elevation of hepatobiliary enzymes, which may be more pronounced in patients with early mortality. An exaggerated laboratory elevation in excess of threefold greater than baseline or a prolonged increase exceeding 1 week may herald poorer clinical outcome.

Efficacy and safety of flow-directed pulmonary artery catheter thrombolysis for treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of flow-directed catheter thrombolysis for treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution retrospective study, 19 patients (nine men and 10 women; mean age [± SD], 54 ± 13 years) with submassive PE underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis between 2009 and 2013. Presenting symptoms included dyspnea in 18 of 19 (95%) cases. Submassive PE was diagnosed by pulmonary CT arteriography and right ventricular strain. PE was bilateral in 17 of 19 (89%) and unilateral in two of 19 (11%) cases. Thrombolysis was performed via a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter infusing 0.5- 1.0 mg alteplase per hour and was continued to complete or near complete clot dissolution with reduction in PA pressure. IV systemic heparin was administered. Measured outcomes included procedural success, PA pressure reduction, clinical success, survival, and adverse events. RESULTS: Procedural success, defined as successful PA catheter placement, fibrinolytic agent delivery, PA pressure reduction, and achievement of complete or near complete clot dissolution, was achieved in 18 of 19 (95%) cases. Thrombolysis required 57 ± 31 mg of alteplase administered over 89 ± 32 hours. Initial and final PA pressures were 30 ± 10 mm Hg and 20 ± 8 mm Hg (p < 0.001). All 18 (100%) technically successful cases achieved clinical success because all patients experienced symptomatic improvement. Eighteen of 19 (95%) patients survived to hospital discharge; 18 of 19 (95%) and 15 of 16 (94%) patients had documented 1-month and 3-month survival. One fatal case of intracranial hemorrhage was attributed to supratherapeutic anticoagulation because normal fibrinogen levels did not suggest remote fibrinolysis; procedural success was not achieved in this case because of early thrombolysis termination. No other complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Among a small patient cohort, flow-directed catheter thrombolysis with alteplase effectively dissolved submassive PE and reduced PA pressure. Postprocedure short-term survival was high, and patients undergoing thrombolysis required close observation for bleeding events.

Right atrial pressure may impact early survival of patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the impact of right atrial (RA) pressure on early mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this single institution retrospective study, 125 patients (M:F = 75:50, mean age 55 years) who underwent TIPS with recorded intra-procedural RA pressures between 1999-2012 were studied. Demographic (age, gender), liver disease (Child-Pugh, Model for End Stage Liver Disease or MELD score), and procedure (indication, urgency, Stent type, portosystemic gradient or PSG reduction, baseline and post-TIPS RA pressure) data were identified, and the influence of these parameters on 30- and 90-day mortality was assessed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: TIPS were created for variceal hemorrhage (n = 55) and ascites (n = 70). Hemodynamic success rate was 99% (124/125) and mean PSG reduction was 13 mmHg. 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 18% (19/106) and 28% (29/106). Baseline and final RA pressure were significantly associated with 30- (12 vs. 15 mmHg, P = 0.021; 18 vs. 21 mmHg, P = 0.035) and 90-day (12 vs. 14 mmHg, P = 0.022; 18 vs. 20 mmHg, P = 0.024) survival on univariate analysis. Predictive usefulness of RA pressure was not confirmed in multivariate analyses. Area under receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis revealed good pre- and post-TIPS RA pressure predictive capacity for 30- (0.779, 0.810) and 90-day (0.813, 0.788) mortality among variceal hemorrhage patients at 14.5 and 21.5 mm Hg thresholds. CONCLUSION: Intra-procedural RA pressure may have predictive value for early post-TIPS mortality. Pre-procedure consideration and optimization of patient cardiac status may enhance candidate selection, risk stratification, and clinical outcomes, particularly in variceal hemorrhage patients.

Prognostic capability of different liver disease scoring systems for prediction of early mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of various liver disease scoring systems in predicting early mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution retrospective study, eight scoring systems were used to grade liver disease in 211 patients (male-to-female ratio = 131:80; mean age, 54 y) before TIPS creation from 1999-2011. Scoring systems included bilirubin level, Child-Pugh (CP) score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease sodium (MELD-Na) score, Emory score, prognostic index (PI), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) 2 score, and Bonn TIPS early mortality (BOTEM) score. Medical record review was used to identify 30-day and 90-day clinical outcomes. The relationship of scoring parameters with mortality outcomes was assessed with multivariate analysis, and the relative ability of systems to predict mortality after TIPS creation was evaluated by comparing area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves. RESULTS: TIPS were successfully created for variceal hemorrhage (n = 121), ascites (n = 72), hepatic hydrothorax (n = 15), and portal vein thrombosis (n = 3). All scoring systems had a significant association with 30-day and 90-day mortality (P<.050 in each case) on multivariate analysis. Based on 30-day and 90-day AUROC, MELD (0.878, 0.816) and MELD-Na (0.863, 0.823) scores had the best capability to predict early mortality compared with bilirubin (0.786, 0.749), CP (0.822, 0.771), Emory (0.786, 0.681), PI (0.854, 0.760), APACHE 2 (0.836, 0.735), and BOTEM (0.798, 0.698), with statistical superiority over bilirubin, Emory, and BOTEM scores. CONCLUSIONS: Several liver disease scoring systems have prognostic value for early mortality after TIPS creation. MELD and MELD-Na scores most effectively predict survival after TIPS creation.

Older patient age may predict early mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation in individuals at intermediate risk.

PURPOSE: To identify prognostic factors for early mortality among patients with intermediate-risk Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution retrospective study, 47 patients (31 men; mean age, 54 y) with intermediate MELD scores (ie, 18-25) underwent TIPS creation between 1999 and 2012. Medical records were reviewed to identify demographic (age, sex), liver disease (Child-Pugh, MELD), and procedure data (indication, urgency, stent type, portosystemic pressure gradient reduction, complications), and the influence of these parameters on 90-day mortality was assessed by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: TIPSs were successfully created for variceal hemorrhage (n = 24), ascites (n = 17), hydrothorax (n = 5), and portal vein thrombosis (n = 1). Hemodynamic success rate was 94% (44 of 47), and mean portosystemic pressure gradient reduction was 13 mm Hg. The 90-day mortality rate was 36% (17 of 47). Patient age (P = .026) was significantly associated with 90-day mortality. Mean ages of living versus dead patients were 51 and 60 years, and mortality rates in patients aged 54 years or younger versus 55 years or older were 21% (five of 24) and 52% (12 of 23), respectively. There was no difference in MELD scores between these age groups (20.6 vs 21.0; P = .600), and MELD score was not a predictive factor on regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Age is a prognostic factor for early mortality in TIPS recipients with intermediate MELD scores. Mortality rates are higher in patients at least 55 years of age, but MELD score does not predict survival in this subset. Age should be contemplated when selecting patients at intermediate risk for TIPS creation.