Prediction of Mortality and Hepatic Encephalopathy after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement: Baseline and Longitudinal Body Composition Measurement.

PURPOSE: To investigate effects of baseline and early longitudinal body composition changes on mortality and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a case-control study with analysis of a TIPS registry (1995-2020) including data from patients with cirrhosis with computed tomography (CT) scans obtained within 1 month before and 3 months after TIPS. Core muscle area (CMA), macroscopic subcutaneous adipose tissue (mSAT), macroscopic visceral adipose tissue (mVAT) area, and muscle adiposity index (MAI) on CT were obtained. Multipredictor Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the effect of body composition variables on mortality or HE. RESULTS: In total, 280 patients (158 men; median age, 57.0 years; median Model for End-stage Liver Disease-sodium [MELD-Na] score, 14.0) were included. Thirty-four patients had post-TIPS imaging. Median baseline CMA was 68.3 cm2 (interquartile range, 57.7-83.5 cm2). Patients with higher baseline CMA had decreased risks of mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.82; P = .04) and HE (HR: 0.82; P = .009). It improved prediction of mortality over MELD-Na and post-TIPS right atrial pressure alone (confidence interval = 0.729). An increase in CMA (HR: 0.60; P = .043) and mSAT (HR: 0.86; P = .022) or decrease in MAI (HR: 1.50; P = .049) from before to after TIPS was associated with a decreased risk of mortality. An increase in mSAT was associated with an increased risk of HE (HR: 1.11; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: CMA on CT scan 1 month before TIPS placement predicts mortality and HE in patients with cirrhosis. Changes in body composition on CT measured 3 months after TIPS placement independently predict mortality and HE.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Dialysis Fistula Malfunction.

The creation and maintenance of a dialysis access is vital for the reduction of morbidity, mortality, and cost of treatment for end stage renal disease patients. One's longevity on dialysis is directly dependent upon the quality of dialysis. This quality hinges on the integrity and reliability of the access to the patient's vascular system. All methods of dialysis access will eventually result in dialysis dysfunction and failure. Arteriovenous access dysfunction includes 3 distinct classes of events, namely thrombotic flow-related complications or dysfunction, nonthrombotic flow-related complications or dysfunction, and infectious complications. The restoration of any form of arteriovenous access dysfunction may be supported by diagnostic imaging, clinical consultation, percutaneous interventional procedures, surgical management, or a combination of these methods. This document provides a rigorous evaluation of how variants of each form of dysfunction may be appraised and approached systematically. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Lower Extremity Chronic Venous Disease.

Lower extremity venous insufficiency is a chronic medical condition resulting from primary valvular incompetence or, less commonly, prior deep venous thrombosis or extrinsic venous obstruction. Lower extremity chronic venous disease has a high prevalence with a related socioeconomic burden. In the United States, over 11 million males and 22 million females 40 to 80 years of age have varicose veins, with over 2 million adults having advanced chronic venous disease. The high cost to the health care system is related to the recurrent nature of venous ulcerative disease, with total treatment costs estimated >$2.5 billion per year in the United States, with at least 20,556 individuals with newly diagnosed venous ulcers yearly. Various diagnostic and treatment strategies are in place for lower extremity chronic venous disease and are discussed in this document. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Sudden Onset of Cold, Painful Leg: 2023 Update.

Acute onset of a cold, painful leg, also known as acute limb ischemia, describes the sudden loss of perfusion to the lower extremity and carries significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Acute limb ischemia requires rapid identification and the management of suspected vascular compromise and is inherently driven by clinical considerations. The objectives of initial imaging include confirmation of diagnosis, identifying the location and extent of vascular occlusion, and preprocedural/presurgical planning. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures: 2022 Update.

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) can have a variety of etiologies, including trauma, osteoporosis, or neoplastic infiltration. Osteoporosis related fractures are the most common cause of VCFs and have a high prevalence among all postmenopausal women with increasing incidence in similarly aged men. Trauma is the most common etiology in those >50 years of age. However, many cancers, such as breast, prostate, thyroid, and lung, have a propensity to metastasize to bone, which can lead to malignant VCFs. Indeed, the spine is third most common site of metastases after lung and liver. In addition, primary tumors of bone and lymphoproliferative diseases such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma can be the cause of malignant VCFs. Although patient clinical history could help raising suspicion for a particular disorder, the characterization of VCFs is usually referred to diagnostic imaging. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Central Venous Access Device and Site Selection.

The use of central venous access devices is ubiquitous in both inpatient and outpatient settings, whether for critical care, oncology, hemodialysis, parenteral nutrition, or diagnostic purposes. Radiology has a well-established role in the placement of these devices due to demonstrated benefits of radiologic placement in multiple clinical settings. A wide variety of devices are available for central venous access and optimal device selection is a common clinical challenge. Central venous access devices may be nontunneled, tunneled, or implantable. They may be centrally or peripherally inserted by way of veins in the neck, extremities, or elsewhere. Each device and access site presents specific risks that should be considered in each clinical scenario to minimize the risk of harm. The risk of infection and mechanical injury should be minimized in all patients. In hemodialysis patients, preservation of future access is an additional important consideration. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Radiologic Management of Mesenteric Ischemia: 2022 Update.

Mesenteric ischemia is a serious medical condition characterized by insufficient vascular supply to the small bowel. In the acute setting, endovascular interventions, including embolectomy, transcatheter thrombolysis, and angioplasty with or without stent placement, are recommended as initial therapeutic options. For nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, transarterial infusion of vasodilators, such as papaverine or prostaglandin E1, is the recommended initial treatment. In the chronic setting, endovascular means of revascularization, including angioplasty and stent placement, are generally recommend, with surgical options, such as bypass or endarterectomy, considered alternative options. Although the diagnosis of median arcuate ligament syndrome remains controversial, diagnostic angiography can be helpful in rendering a diagnosis, with the preferred treatment option being a surgical release. Systemic anticoagulation is recommended as initial therapy for venous mesenteric ischemia with acceptable rates of recanalization. If anticoagulation fails, transcatheter thrombolytic infusion can be considered with possible adjunctive placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to augment antegrade flow. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Assessment of Clinical Outcomes, Clinical Manifestations, and Risk Factors for Hepatic Infarction After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement (TIPS): A Retrospective Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the imaging findings of hepatic infarction after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement and identify risk factors, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of infarction after TIPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis of a TIPS registry (1995-2021), cirrhotic patients with hepatic infarction (n = 33) and control patients without infarct (n = 33) after TIPS were identified. Laboratory values, ultrasound findings, and clinical variables were compared between groups to identify risk factors and differences in outcomes. A Cox proportional hazards regression model with propensity score was used to assess the effect of hepatic infarction on mortality and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) score. RESULTS: Hepatic infarction involved the right posterior segments (segments VI or VII) in 32 of 33 patients. Prolonged vasopressor requirement (p = 0.003) and intensive care unit stay (p = 0.001) were seen in patients with hepatic infarct, as well as trends toward lower post-TIPS portosystemic pressure gradient (p = 0.061) and higher risk of ACLF (p = 0.056). Procedure-related portal vein thrombosis or hepatic artery injury was identified in 12 and 5 patients with infarct, respectively. Patients with infarct had higher postprocedural aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.001) levels, higher international normalized ratio (p = 0.016), lower platelet count (p = 0.042), and a greater decrease in hemoglobin level (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Hepatic infarction most frequently affects the right posterior hepatic segments after TIPS and results in a worse postprocedural course. Procedure-related complications and critically low portosystemic pressure gradient may contribute to TIPS-associated hepatic infarct.

Risk of hernia-related complications after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation in patients with pre-existing ventral abdominal hernias: 15-year experience at a quaternary medical center.

OBJECTIVE: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is used to treat the sequelae of portal hypertension, including refractory variceal bleeding, ascites and hepatic hydrothorax. However, hernia-related complications such as incarceration and small bowel obstruction can occur after TIPS placement in patients with pre-existing hernias. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of hernia complications in the first year after TIPS placement and to identify patient characteristics leading to an increased risk of these complications. DESIGN: This retrospective analysis included patients with pre-existing abdominal hernias who underwent primary TIPS placement with covered stents at our institution between 2004 and 2018. The 1-year hernia complication rate and the average time to complications were documented. Using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test, the characteristics of patients who developed hernia-related complications versus the characteristics of those without complications were compared. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients with pre-existing asymptomatic abdominal hernias were included in the analysis. The most common reason for TIPS placement was refractory ascites (80.6%). A total of 36 patients (21.6%) developed hernia-related complications after TIPS placement, including 20 patients with acute complications and 16 with non-acute complications. The mean time to presentation of hernia-related complications was 66 days. Patients who developed hernia-related complications were more likely than those without complications to have liver cirrhosis secondary to alcohol consumption (p=0.049), although this association was no longer significant after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Within 1 year after TIPS placement, approximately 20% of patients with pre-existing hernias develop hernia-related complications, typically within the first 2 months after the procedure. Patients with pre-existing hernia undergoing TIPS placement should be educated regarding the signs and symptoms of hernia-related complications, including incarceration and small bowel obstruction.

Hepatic Encephalopathy After TIPS Placement: Predictive Factors, Prevention Strategies, and Management.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a challenging complication after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. Despite recent advances, much is still uncertain regarding risk factors, preventative measures, and the management of HE after TIPS placement. Appropriate patient selection and pre-procedural risk stratification remain areas of focus. In this manuscript, we discuss the current state of research related to HE after TIPS placement, including information regarding risk stratification, complication prevention, and treatment options.

Portal Vein Thrombosis: Diagnosis and Endovascular Management.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but severe entity that can cause clinically significant sequela such as worsening portal hypertension or mesenteric ischemia. Those cases refractory to medical management may be referred for endovascular intervention. Several technical considerations have been described in the literature, but a cohesive comparison of these multiple techniques is lacking. METHODS: The purpose of this article is to review the diagnosis and endovascular management of PVT, including areas in which further research is warranted. RESULTS: Cases of PVT can be readily diagnosed using ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment often begins with systemic anticoagulation and endovascular interventions may be used in selected cases. Determining the optimal approach to accessing the portal venous system depends on the underlying disease and chronicity of the thrombus and the degree of occlusion. Once access to the portal venous system is established, catheter-directed therapy may be performed to achieve recanalization. CONCLUSION: Despite the heterogeneity in patient presentation, cases of PVT can be readily diagnosed across several imaging modalities. Strategizing interventional approaches involves evaluation of the underlying disease and the chronicity of the thrombus. KEY POINTS: · This review will enable interventionalists to establish a framework for treating portal vein thrombosis by identifying patient risk factors and thrombus characteristics that determine patient management.. · The unique risks and benefits for transhepatic, transsplenic, and transmesenteric approaches for establishing portal venous access will be discussed.. · Advantages and complications of thrombolysis, thrombectomy, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation for treating portal vein thrombosis will be reviewed in detail based on our extensive institutional experience.. CITATION FORMAT: · Ju C, Li X, Gadani S et al. Portal Vein Thrombosis: Diagnosis and Endovascular Management. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 169 - 180.

The role of interventional radiology in the management of refractory bile leaks.

Refractory bile leaks represent a damaging sequela of hepatobiliary surgery and direct trauma. Management of bile leaks represents a challenging clinical problem. Despite advances in endoscopic techniques, interventional radiology continues to play a vital role in the diagnosis and management of refractory bile leaks. This article reviews strategies for optimizing the diagnosis and management of bile leaks and provides an overview of management strategies, including the management of complicated biliary leaks.

Advanced portal venous access techniques for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement.

INTRODUCTION: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is a well-established but technically challenging procedure for the management of sequelae of end-stage liver disease. Performed essentially blindly, traditional fluoroscopically guided TIPS placement requires multiple needle passes and prolonged radiation exposure to achieve successful portal venous access, thus increasing procedure time and the risk of periprocedural complications. Several advanced image-guided portal access techniques, including intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided access, cone-beam CT (CBCT)-guided access and wire-targeting access techniques, can serve as alternatives to traditional CO2 portography-based TIPS creation. METHODS: A literature search was performed on the electronic databases including MEDLINE and Embase, from 2000 to the present to identify all relevant studies. The reference list also included studies identified manually, and studies referenced for other purposes. FINDINGS: The main benefit of these advanced access techniques is that they allow the operator to avoid essentially blind portal punctures, and the ability to visualise the target, thus reducing the number of required needle passes. Research has shown that ICE-guided access can decrease the radiation exposure, procedure time and complication rate in patients undergoing TIPS placement. This technique is particularly useful in patients with challenging portal venous anatomy. However, ICE-guided access requires additional equipment and possibly a second operator. Other studies have shown that CBCT-guided access, when compared with traditional fluoroscopy-guided access, provides superior visualisation of the anatomy with similar amount of radiation exposure and procedure time. The wire-targeting technique, on the other hand, appears to offer reductions in procedure time and radiation exposure by enabling real-time guidance. However, this technique necessitates percutaneous injury to the liver parenchyma in order to place the target wire. CONCLUSION: Advanced portal access techniques have certain advantages over the traditional fluoroscopically guided TIPS access. To date, few studies have compared these advanced guided access options, and further research is required.

Renal-function change after transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt placement and its relationship with survival: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The effect of transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement on renal function and the correlation of post-TIPS Cr with mortality remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of TIPS placement on renal function and to examine the relationship between post-TIPS Cr and mortality risk. METHODS: A total of 593 patients who underwent de novo TIPS placement between 2004 and 2017 at a single institution were included in the study. The pre-TIPS Cr level (T0; within 7 days before TIPS placement) and post-TIPS Cr levels, at 1-2 days (T1), 5-12 days (T2), and 15-40 days (T3), were collected. Predictors of Cr change after TIPS placement and the 1-year mortality rate were analysed using multivariable linear-regression and Cox proportional-hazards models, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, 21.4% of patients (n = 127) had elevated baseline Cr (≥1.5 mg/dL; mean, 2.51 ± 1.49 mg/dL) and 78.6% (n = 466) had normal baseline Cr (<1.5 mg/dL; mean, 0.92 ± 0.26 mg/dL). Patients with elevated pre-TIPS Cr demonstrated a decrease in post-TIPS Cr (difference, -0.60 mg/dL), whereas patients with normal baseline Cr exhibited no change (difference, <0.01 mg/dL). The 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality rates were 13%, 20%, and 32%, respectively. Variceal bleeding as a TIPS-placement indication (hazard ratio = 1.731; P = 0.036), higher T0 Cr (hazard ratio = 1.834; P = 0.012), and higher T3 Cr (hazard ratio = 3.524; P < 0.001) were associated with higher 1-year mortality risk. CONCLUSION: TIPS placement improved renal function in patients with baseline renal dysfunction and the post-TIPS Cr level was a strong predictor of 1-year mortality risk.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Radiologic Management of Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding: 2021 Update.

Diverticulosis remains the commonest cause for acute lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding (GIB). Conservative management is initially sufficient for most patients, followed by elective diagnostic tests. However, if acute lower GIB persists, it can be investigated with colonoscopy, CT angiography (CTA), or red blood cell (RBC) scan. Colonoscopy can identify the site and cause of bleeding and provide effective treatment. CTA is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that is better tolerated by patients, can identify actively bleeding site or a potential bleeding lesion in vast majority of patients. RBC scan can identify intermittent bleeding, and with single-photon emission computed tomography, can more accurately localize it to a small segment of bowel. If patients are hemodynamically unstable, CTA and transcatheter arteriography/embolization can be performed. Colonoscopy can also be considered in these patients if rapid bowel preparation is feasible. Transcatheter arteriography has a low rate of major complications; however, targeted transcatheter embolization is only feasible if extravasation is seen, which is more likely in hemodynamically unstable patients. If bleeding site has been previously localized but the intervention by colonoscopy and transcatheter embolization have failed to achieve hemostasis, surgery may be required. Among patients with obscure (nonlocalized) recurrent bleeding, capsule endoscopy and CT enterography can be considered to identify culprit mucosal lesion(s). The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Predictors of Occurrence and Risk of Hepatic Encephalopathy After TIPS Creation: A 15-Year Experience.

PURPOSE: To identify clinical variables, including use of newer Viatorr TIPS endoprosthesis with controlled expansion (VCX) that may affect the occurrence and risk of hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. METHODS: A total of 376 patients who underwent TIPS creation at our institution between 2003 and 2018 were retrospectively identified. Of these patients, 71 received a Viatorr controlled expansion endoprosthesis and 305 received a Viatorr TIPS endoprosthesis (older version without controlled expansion). Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors predicting the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS creation; a Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess risk of HE through time to HE onset RESULTS: A total of 194 patients (52%) developed hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS creation, including 28 of 71 patients (39%) who received a VCX endoprosthesis. Older patient age and the use of Viatorr endoprosthesis without controlled expansion were significantly associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy overall. Pre-TIPS pressure variables, patient age, plasma international normalized ratio, and model for end-stage liver disease score were risk factors for time to hepatic encephalopathy. CONCLUSION: Several variables are mild predictors of early hepatic encephalopathy development after TIPS creation, and the use of VCX endoprosthesis in TIPS creation is associated with a modest lower risk of hepatic encephalopathy. These preliminary findings should be considered in regard to patient selection, endoprosthesis selection, and post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation monitoring for the development of hepatic encephalopathy.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Radiologic Management of Iliofemoral Venous Thrombosis.

Iliofemoral venous thrombosis carries a high risk for pulmonary embolism, recurrent deep vein thrombosis, and post-thrombotic syndrome complicating 30% to 71% of those affected. The clinical scenarios in which iliofemoral venous thrombosis is managed may be diverse, presenting a challenge to identify optimum therapy tailored to each situation. Goals for management include preventing morbidity from venous occlusive disease, and morbidity and mortality from pulmonary embolism. Anticoagulation remains the standard of care for iliofemoral venous thrombosis, although a role for more aggressive therapies with catheter-based interventions or surgery exists in select circumstances. Results from recent prospective trials have improved patient selection guidelines for more aggressive therapies, and have also demonstrated a lack of efficacy for certain conservative therapies. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Hospital readmission following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a 14-year single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a relatively common procedure used to treat complications of portal hypertension. However, only limited data exist regarding the hospital-readmission rate after TIPS placement and no studies have addressed the causes of hospital readmission. We therefore sought to identify the 30-day hospital-readmission rate after TIPS placement at our institution and to determine potential causes and predictors of readmission. METHODS: We reviewed our electronic medical-records system at our institution between 2004 and 2017 to identify patients who had undergone primary TIPS placement with polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents and to determine the 30-day readmission rate among these patients. A series of univariable logistic-regression models were fit to assess potential predictors of 30-day readmission. RESULTS: A total of 566 patients were included in the analysis. The 30-day readmission rate after TIPS placement was 36%. The most common causes for readmission were confusion (48%), infection (15%), bleeding (11%), and fluid overload (7%). A higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score corresponded with a higher rate of readmission (odds ratio associated with each 1-unit increase in MELD score: 1.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.09; P = 0.001). Other potential predictors, including indication for TIPS placement, were not significantly associated with a higher readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: The 30-day readmission rate after TIPS placement with covered stents is high, with nearly half of these readmissions due to hepatic encephalopathy-a known complication of TIPS placement. Novel interventions to help reduce the TIPS readmission rate should be prioritized in future research.