Parallel Shunt for the Treatment of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety, efficacy and long-term patency of parallel shunts (PS) in the management of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between March 2007 and October 2010, 18 patients (13 men and 5 women) who underwent TIPS revision with the creation of PS were evaluated retrospectively. In the first 10 patients, a 10-mm-diameter Wallgraft endoprosthesis was deployed; in the latter 8 patients, an 8-mm-diameter Fluency endoprosthesis was deployed. RESULTS The creation of PS was technically successful in all patients. The mean ± standard deviation portosystemic pressure gradient before and after the procedure was 25.5 ± 7.3 mm Hg (range, 16-37 mm Hg) and 10.9 ± 2.3 mm Hg (range, 7-16 mm Hg), respectively. The duration of follow-up was 16.7 ± 10.8 months (range, 6-42 months). The primary shunt patency rates at 12 months after the creation of PS was 70% with Wallgraft endoprostheses and 87.5% with Fluency endoprostheses. CONCLUSION TIPS revision with the creation of PS is a safe, effective and durable method for treating shunt dysfunction.