Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of subjects.
Fig 1.
Shunt dysfunction occurred in a 56-year-old man 14 months after TIPS insertion.
(a) Preliminary portogram performed after the left portal vein was accessed. The portosystemic gradient (PSG) measured 31 mmHg. (b) Portogram after deploying Fluency stent (C.R. Bard) showing a patent TIPS with the distal end at the hepatocaval junction (arrow) and the proximal end in the main portal vein. The PSG was reduced to 10 mmHg. (c) Digitally subtracted image demonstrates that the original shunt was occluded and the superior margin (arrow) of the stent penetrated into the hepatic vein wall. The PSG measured 28 mmHg. (d) Since the original shunt was difficult to catheterize, a parallel TIPS was placed via the right portal vein. Then the PSG decreased to 8 mmHg.
Fig 2.
Probability of TIPS patency.
Table 2.
Independent risk factors for shunt dysfunction.
Fig 3.
Probability of remaining free from hepatic encephalopathy in patients with different Child-pugh classes.
Table 3.
Independent risk factors for hepatic encephalopathy.
Table 4.
Independent risk factors for mortality.
Fig 4.
Probability of remaining free from variceal bleeding.