Adjuvant Transjugular Variceal Occlusion at Creation of a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS): Efficacy and Risks of Bucrylate Embolization

Adjuvant embolization of varices may reduce rebleeding in patients with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and the risks of adjuvant variceal embolization at TIPS implantation using bucrylate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The retrospective study evaluated 104 of 237 cirrhotic patients with TIPS for variceal bleeding who received adjuvant bucrylate embolization. For TIPS creation, bare stents were used in 35 patients (33.7%) and covered stents in 69 patients (66.3%) patients. Isolated gastric varices were seen in 10 patients (9.6%).

RESULTS

Six patients (5.8%) rebled during a median follow-up time of 26 months (1-57 months). Rebleeding occurred in 14% (5/35) of patients with a bare stent but only in 1.4% (1/69) of patients with a covered stent. The 1- and 2-year rebleeding rates of all patients were 0.9 and 2.9% and of patients receiving a bare stent were 2.9 and 8.6%, respectively. Bucrylate migration was seen in 13 patients (12.5%). In 9 of these patients (8.7%), asymptomatic lung embolization occurred. This was rare in patients with esophageal varices (3.1%) but frequent (60%) in patients with isolated gastric varices and a spontaneous splenorenal shunt.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that adjuvant embolization using bucrylate is effective and delays variceal rebleeding. The general use of covered stents, however, alleviates the utility of adjuvant bucrylate embolization which may be restricted to patients with a high risk of rebleeding indicated by large varices, active, acute or recent variceal bleeding and advanced cirrhosis. Bucrylate should not be used in isolated gastric varices because it bears a high risk of migration into the lungs.

Therapy Algorithm for Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Cirrhosis: The Internist's Point of View

BACKGROUND

Treatment of non-malignant portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhosis has been neglected in the past because of the fear of bleeding complications when using anticoagulation and due to the technical difficulties associated with the implantation of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). However, PVT has a negative impact on outcome and compromises liver transplantation, warranting treatment by using anticoagulation and TIPS.

METHODS

This review considers studies on the treatment of PVT in cirrhosis published in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, many of these studies are limited by their retrospective design and a small sample size.

RESULTS

Anticoagulation using low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or vitamin K antagonists is effective in the treatment of patients with limited and recent PVT, resulting in a recanalization in up to 50% of the patients. TIPS (plus local measures) results in a recanalization of up to 100% and reduces the rebleeding rate considerably in patients with recent or chronic PVT.

CONCLUSION

Based on the presently limited knowledge, a therapy algorithm is suggested favouring the TIPS as a first-line treatment for PVT in patients with symptomatic portal hypertension. Patients with thus far asymptomatic portal hypertension may first receive anticoagulation, preferably using LMWH. If these patients have a condition where anticoagulation is not promising (complete, extended, chronic PVT) or ineffective, or if they are candidates for liver transplantation, the TIPS may be implanted without delay.