Small intestinal submucosa sandwich Zilver stent-grafts for TIPS: experimental pilot study in swine

Shunt stenosis or occlusion after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been extensively used to treat the complications of portal hypertension and should be considered the first-line treatment for hemorrhage of acute esophagogastric varices caused by portal hypertension. However, stent stenosis or occlusion after TIPS is the main cause of shunt dysfunction and surgical failure. This paper aims to make a comprehensive review of stents, with the focus being on the development of stents and stent coat material, the reason of shunt stenosis or occlusion, and the revision of shunt.

Takao Hiraki’s work on interventional radiology

Dr. Takao Hiraki is a scientist carrying out interventional radiology research in the Department of Radiology at Okayama University Medical School, Japan. He has conducted animal and human clinical studies on interventional radiology for various conditions. For example, he clarified the hepatic hemodynamic changes caused by hepatic venous occlusion. He also developed new devices, such as hydrogel coils for the occlusion of the aneurismal sac after an endovascular stent-graft of an aortic aneurysm to prevent endoleakage and small intestinal submucosa-covered stents for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Further, he performed a number of studies on the radiofrequency ablation of lung cancer, mediastinal lymph node metastasis, and computed tomography-fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsies. He intends to continue to dedicate his academic career to expand the role of interventional radiology in clinical medicine.