Introduction

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is reported in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients [1]. Besides aggravating portal hypertension sequelae, PVT increases postoperative complications during liver transplantation (LT), and hence, PVT is considered as a relative contraindication to LT [2]. Portal vein recanalization–transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PVR-TIPS) re-establishes PV flow, relieves portal hypertension symptoms, and improves patients’ eligibility for LT [3]. Over time, the method has evolved to the trans-splenic approach with a high rate of success [1, 4]. We report our experience of performing PVR-TIPS by percutaneous puncture of the superior/inferior mesenteric veins (SMV/IMV) in patients with thrombosed splenic veins (SV).

Materials and Methods

Patients with chronic PVT eligible for PVR-TIPS and inaccessible for trans-splenic approach underwent treatment using direct, ultrasound-guided SMV/IMV punctures.

Procedures and Technical Aspects

In all patients, a 10-Fr sheath (Cook, Bloomington, Indiana) was advanced into the right hepatic vein via the right internal jugular vein (IJV). Primary transhepatic and trans-splenic approaches failed in all patients. Subsequently, using ultrasound guidance, a 21-gauge needle (Cook, Bloomington, Indiana) was advanced transabdominally into the SMV (Fig. 1) in 3 patients and IMV in one patient. The SMV was thrombosed in 1 of the 3 patients and in the patient where IMV puncture was performed.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Percutaneous access of SMV (arrow) was obtained to access the PV

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In patients #1 and #3, a 4-Fr glide catheter (Terumo Medical Corp, Somerset, New Jersey) was advanced into the right PV through the SMV access. A 10-mm snare (ev3 Endovascular, Plymouth, Minnesota) was placed in the right PV as a fluoroscopic target for TIPS needle puncture. After advancing a Colapinto needle (Cook, Bloomington, Indiana) into the right PV and into the snare, a stiff glide (Terumo Medical Corp) wire was advanced through the needle and then captured by the snare and pulled through the percutaneous SMV skin entry site, establishing Archimedean (through and through) access. The sheath was advanced into the portal system. Portomesenteric venography was performed confirming thrombosis. After deploying a Viatorr stent graft (W.L Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Arizona) and dilating with a 10-mm balloon, portomesenteric venography demonstrated patency and residual clot. Subsequently, pharmacomechanical thrombectomy of the MPV and SMV using Angiojet (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) was performed. Subsequent stent extension and venography demonstrated patent TIPS and portal vasculature with strong flow (Fig. 2, Online Resources 1–4 for patient #1, Online Resources 16–21 for patient #3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Post-TIPS CT scan at 2-month follow up showing patent PV and SMV

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In patient #2, the SMV access was upsized for a 4-Fr glide catheter. The catheter was advanced into a peripheral SV parenchymal branch to provide splenic access in anticipation of portal recanalization. After advancing a Gooseneck snare through the catheter and passing a 21-gauge needle through the snare, a Cope mandril wire was grasped and trans-splenic approach was achieved. A 5-Fr catheter and glidewire were advanced into the right PV using recanalization. Through both IJ and splenic accesses, snares were positioned into the right hepatic and portal veins. Using gun-sight technique [5], an 18-gauge needle was advanced through the snares, and then TIPS access was obtained. PVR-TIPS was then completed per routine methodology. Portosystemic gradient decreased to 3 mmHg. (Online Resource 5–15).

In patient #4, the IMV was accessed under ultrasound guidance (Fig. 3). After fluoroscopic confirmation of IMV access, a 4-Fr glide wire was advanced though the thrombosed mesenteric system into the right PV. Gooseneck snare was placed into right PV to establish Archimedean access and TIPS stent was deployed as described previously. (Online Resources 22, 23).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Percutaneous direct puncture of IMV was obtained to access PV

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Results

Four patients were treated from March to August 2020. Baseline characteristics of patients, underlying conditions, and pre-procedure findings are outlined in Table 1. There were no immediate complications, including bleeding. One-month post-procedure follow-up imaging with computed tomography (CT)-venogram and Doppler ultrasound showed widely patent PV, SV and TIPS shunt with excellent flow in all patients, and none of the patients developed any complication during this time (including delayed bleeding). Unfortunately, patient #2 did not progress to transplant as he succumbed to Corona virus (COVID-19) infection 3 months after the procedure.

Table 1 Baseline characteristics
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Discussion

PVT treatment is challenging and management is decided on a case-by-case basis. Anticoagulation has been proposed in cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic patients who are predisposed to venous thrombosis [6, 7]. However, higher tendency for bleeding in cirrhotic patients and development of esophageal varices in many cases of chronic PVT render anticoagulation therapy challenging.

PVR-TIPS is effective in PVT treatment in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients [1, 4, 8]. The trans-splenic approach has become the technique of choice in PVR-TIPS. In an evaluation on trans-hepatic approach, 53% of TIPS cases failed at placement or required stent revision after first placement [9]. However, trans-splenic approach has offered a favorable technical success rate of almost 100% [1, 4, 8]. Obtaining SV access is the main contributor to success of trans-splenic approach. Despite an acceptable safety profile, complications can occur (e.g. TIPS stenosis) [4].

In asplenic patients and patients with difficult SV access, or in patients with complete mesenteric venous thrombosis, both trans-hepatic and trans-splenic approaches face major technical challenges. There are few reports of utilizing trans-mesenteric approach for TIPS in asplenic patients with PVT [10, 11]. In these cases, a mini-laparatomy incision was required to obtain access to a peripheral mesenteric vein. We believe noninvasive, ultrasound-guided, mesenteric puncture to gain access for PVR-TIPS can be beneficial in treatment of chronic PVT in patients with unavailable SV, as demonstrated in the case report [12]. Further studies can evaluate long-term safety and clinical outcome of this novel procedure.

Conclusion

Percutaneous trans-mesenteric approach is a feasible alternate access route to directly perform PVR-TIPS with a favorable clinical success and safety.