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Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Using the New Gore Viatorr Controlled Expansion Endoprosthesis: Prospective, Single-Center, Preliminary Experience

  • Clinical Investigation
  • TIPS
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate short-term clinical efficacy, complications and possible passive stent expansion of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation using the new controlled expansion ePTFE covered stent (VCX), for portal hypertension complications.

Methods

Between 7/2016 and 3/2018, 75 patients received TIPS using VCX. Thirty-nine patients with VCX dilated with an 8-mm angioplasty balloon underwent computed tomography (CT) study during follow-up and CT data were used to measure stent diameter. The CT measurement technique was validated by ex vivo experiment.

Results

TIPS indications were: refractory ascites (n = 45), variceal bleeding (n = 22), other (n = 8). Mean follow-up was 5.8 months (± 4.5, range 1–20). In 69 patients, TIPS was dilated to 8 mm of diameter reaching the hemodynamic target of a portosystemic pressure gradient (PSG) < 12 mmHg. In six patients, not reaching the hemodynamic target the stent was dilated to 10 mm of diameter during the same session with a final PSG < 12 mmHg. Overall clinical success was achieved in 66/75 (88%) patients (80% in refractory ascites, 95% variceal bleeding, 100% other). Grade II–III encephalopathy was observed in five patients (6%). TIPS revision with stent dilatation to 10 mm was performed in seven patients: in three patients with ascites persistence, without evidence of stent dysfunction and in four patients for stent stenosis. One patient underwent stent reduction. Fourteen patients (18%) died during follow-up of causes not related to TIPS. Five patients (6%) underwent liver transplant. No passive stent expansion was detected by CT measurements.

Conclusion

VCX for TIPS creation retains its diameter over a short-term period and is associated with a good clinical outcome with a reasonably low complication rate.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Roberto Miraglia and Luigi Maruzzelli have contributed equally to this study and share the first authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Service, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS-ISMETT), Via Ernesto Tricomi 5, 90127, Palermo, Italy

    Roberto Miraglia, Luigi Maruzzelli, Ambra Di Piazza, Giuseppe Mamone, Settimo Caruso, Giovanni Gentile & Angelo Luca

  2. Research Office, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS-ISMETT), Palermo, Italy

    Fabio Tuzzolino & Gaetano Floridia

  3. Hepatology Unit, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS-ISMETT), Palermo, Italy

    Ioannis Petridis & Riccardo Volpes

Authors
  1. Roberto Miraglia
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  2. Luigi Maruzzelli
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  3. Ambra Di Piazza
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  4. Giuseppe Mamone
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  5. Settimo Caruso
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  6. Giovanni Gentile
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  7. Fabio Tuzzolino
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  8. Gaetano Floridia
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  10. Riccardo Volpes
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  11. Angelo Luca
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luigi Maruzzelli.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study formal consent is not required.

Informed Consent

This study has obtained IRB approval from IRCCS-ISMETT and the need for informed consent was waived.

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Miraglia, R., Maruzzelli, L., Di Piazza, A. et al. Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Using the New Gore Viatorr Controlled Expansion Endoprosthesis: Prospective, Single-Center, Preliminary Experience. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 42, 78–86 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-018-2040-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-018-2040-y

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