Migration of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt to the Right Atrium: Complications in the Intraoperative Period of Liver Transplantation

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.

Rings Flying Around: A rare complication of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

We present a rare case of TIPS stent migration. TIPS is considered a relatively safe procedure with a high success rate. We present a case of 58 year old male with decompensated alcoholic liver cirrhosis requiring TIPS stent, which fractured and migrated into the pulmonary artery. Our case represents a rare complication, reported only 4% of the population.

RINGS FLYING AROUND

a rare complication of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt.

Misplacement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts: A surgical challenge for liver transplantation?

BACKGROUND

The impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement on outcomes of liver transplantation remains controversial. We systematically reviewed the literature on the outcomes of liver transplantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Cochrane library, PubMed, and Embase were searched (January 1990-April 2020) for studies reporting patients undergoing liver transplantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies reporting 181 patients who underwent liver transplantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement were identified. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was misplaced with a variable degree of extension toward the inferior vena cava/right heart in 63 patients (34%), the spleno/portal/superior mesenteric venous confluence in 105 patients (58%), and both in 15 patients (8%). Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt thrombosis was also present in 21 cases (12%). The median interval between transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement and liver transplantation ranged from 1 day to 6 years. Complete transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt removal was successfully performed in all but 12 (7%) patients in whom part of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was left in situ. Cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass was necessary to remove transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt from the right heart in 4 patients (2%), and a venous graft interposition was necessary for a portal anastomosis in 5 patients (3%). Postoperative mortality (90 days) was 1.1% (2 patients), and portal vein thrombosis developed postoperatively in 4 patients (2%).

CONCLUSION

Misplaced transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt removal is possible in most cases during liver transplantation with extremely low mortality and good postoperative outcomes. Preoperative surgical strategy and intraoperative tailored surgical technique reduces the potential consequences of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement.

Mortality and complications in patients with portal hypertension who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) - 12 years experience

CONTEXT

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is the non-surgical treatment option with low level of morbi-mortality and possibility of accomplishment in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction which aims at decompressing the portal system treating or reducing the portal hypertension complications.

OBJECTIVE

Outline the profile analyze global and early mortality, and the complications presented by cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS for treatment of digestive hemorrhage by portal hypertension.

METHOD

Retrospective study based on the data bank of cirrhotic patients' medical reports, who underwent TIPS for digestive hemorrhage by portal hypertension treatment who did not respond to clinical endoscopic treatment, and were assisted from 1998 to 2010 in the Liver Transplant Service at a university hospital. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics and Research.

RESULTS

The sample was comprised of 72 (84.7%) patients, being 57 (79.2%) males, average age 47.7 years (age range from 16 to 85 years and SD = 13), 21 (29.2%) patients presented liver disease as cause excessive intake of alcoholic drinks; 21 (29.2%) contamination by hepatitis virus, 16 (22.2%) excessive alcohol intake associated with virus and 14 (19.4%) patients presented other causes. As for initial classification, 14 (20%) had Child-Pugh A, 33 (47.1%) Child-Pugh B and 23 (32.9%) Child-Pugh C. Initial MELD was obtained in 68 patients being 37 (54.4%) higher than 15 points while 31 (45.6%) had up to 15 points. Early death occurred in 19 (26.4%). Global mortality occurred in 41 (60.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality is directly related to clinical factors of patients, being Child-Pugh and MELD classifications predictors of mortality, with more impact in patients with Child-Pugh class C and MELD > 15. The complications found were similar to those described in the literature, although the dysfunction by stent stenosis (26.4%) was lower than in the most of the studies and the encephalopathy incidence (58.3%) was higher. Probably, the high incidence of encephalopathy is explained by the low incidence of stenosis.