Endotipsitis: An Underdiagnosed Complication of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts

An unusual case of endotipsitis: persistent infection and migration to the right atrium of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

Endotipsitis is an underdiagnosed entity mainly because it requires a high initial level of suspicion. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent bacteremia in the cirrhotic patient with TIPS. Most cases are treated conservatively with a long-term antibiotherapy, due to the impossibility of surgical removal of the TIPS, except in a liver transplant or autopsy. The patient we present had endotipsitis that manifested as persistent bacteremia with thrombosis of the TIPS. Initially, conservative management with intravenous antibiotherapy was performed; however, due to mechanical complications caused by migration of the original endoprosthesis, it was decided to perform surgery.

Management of a complex transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt dysfunction with endotipsitis through rotational thrombectomy

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS) is an established strategy for the management of complications of portal hypertension. Endoprosthetic infection ("endotipsitis") is a rare but serious and difficult-to-treat complication of TIPS placement. Here we report the occurrence of an infected thrombus complicating TIPS placement in a patient with extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction, recurrent variceal bleeding and portal biliopathy accompanied by recurrent cholangitis. Infected thrombotic material within TIPS could be removed only by employing rotational thrombectomy. This procedure revealed the presence of a biliary fistula which carried pathogens in the systemic circulation. The multiple episodes of sepsis did no longer recur following exclusion of the biliary fistula. This case highlights the possibility to use rotational thrombectomy for the management of complex cases of TIPS dysfunction.

TIPS: indications, Contraindications, and Evaluation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the current and emerging indications, contraindications, and evaluation for TIPS. In the last three decades of use, there have been substantial changes and progress in this field, including the use of controlled-expansion, covered stents, which has broadened the clinical uses of TIPS.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent findings have rapidly expanded the indications for TIPS, including emerging uses in hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome and before abdominal surgery. The widespread use of controlled-expansion, covered stents has decreased rates of post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy, opening TIPS to a larger patient population. Overall, with newer stent technology and more research in this area, the clinical utility and potential of TIPS has rapidly expanded. Going forward, a renewed focus on randomized-control trials and long-term outcomes will be a crucial element to selecting appropriate TIPS recipients and recommending emerging indications for this procedure.

Endotipsitis in an Immunocompetent Patient With Lactobacillus Bacteremia

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure commonly performed to decompress portal venous pressure since the early 1990s. Endotipsitis, which refers to persistent bacteremia caused by endovascular infection of the TIPS stent, is a rare but serious complication of this procedure. Very few cases of endotipsitis have been reported worldwide. We report the case of an immunocompetent patient diagnosed with endotipsitis, an atypical risk factor for Lactobacillus infection. This case report adds to the literature on underreported complications of TIPS, highlighting an urgent need for introducing clinical practice guidelines regarding the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of endotipsitis.