Role of TIPS in Improving Survival of Patients with Decompensated Liver Disease

Limited access to liver transplantation and TIPS despite high mortality, healthcare resource use and costs of cirrhosis in Germany

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Data on number of patients with cirrhosis in Germany are limited. We therefore aimed to estimate prevalence, comorbidities, mortality, utilization of healthcare resources and costs of patients with cirrhosis and incidence of decompensation of cirrhosis in Germany.

METHODS

This longitudinal observational study was based on an anonymized representative claims database including 4.9 million persons insured by a statutory health insurance (SHI) between 2015-2020. Patients with decompensated and compensated cirrhosis were selected via diagnostic ICD codes and followed for 2 years.

RESULTS

Prevalence of cirrhosis in 2015 was 250/100 000, resulting in 201 747 (95% CI: 197 540-206 040) patients extrapolated to the German population. Out of all patients with compensated cirrhosis in 2015 who did not deceased, 16.0% developed a decompensation within 3 years. Overall, 978 patients (Ø-age: 68 years; 60% male) were included in the decompensated, and 5135 patients (Ø-age: 66 years; 59% male) in the compensated cirrhosis cohort. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis had a higher burden of comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index 7.3 vs. 4.4) and 3 times higher costs per quarter (7172 € vs. 2213 €) than patients with compensated cirrhosis. 1-year mortality after decompensation was 51% compared to 8% in compensated cirrhosis. Of note, only few patients with decompensated cirrhosis received a liver transplantation or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) (1% and 5%).

CONCLUSION

Patients with cirrhosis have a high healthcare burden in especially decompensated stage. Accordingly, 1-year mortality of decompensated cirrhosis in Germany is high. Despite high health resource utilization, only few patients have access to liver transplantation or TIPS.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stents versus bare stents for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in people with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a widely used procedure for management of uncontrolled upper gastrointestinal bleeding and refractory ascites in people with liver cirrhosis. However, nearly half of the people experience shunt dysfunction and recurrent symptoms within one year of the procedure. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stents are assumed to decrease shunt dysfunction by approximately 20% to 30%.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms associated with the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stents versus bare stents in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) for managing people with liver cirrhosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 28 February 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials comparing ePTFE-covered stents versus bare stents in TIPS for treatment of people with liver cirrhosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. all-cause mortality, 2. procedure-related complications, and 3. health-related quality of life. Our secondary outcomes were 4. upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 5. recurrence of ascites, 6. hepatic encephalopathy, 7. kidney failure, 8. early thrombosis, 9. non-serious adverse events, and 10. shunt dysfunction. We used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence. We analysed outcome data at the maximum follow-up, except for the 'early thrombosis' outcome for which it was within 12 weeks after the TIPS procedure.

MAIN RESULTS

We included four trials with 565 randomised participants (age range: 18 to 75 years; male range: 63.6% to 75.0%). A total of 527 participants provided data for analyses because of losses to follow-up. Two trials were conducted in China; one in France; and one in France, Spain, and Canada. Participants were classified with cirrhosis Child-Pugh class A, B, or C, and for some, the class was not reported. We used intention-to-treat principle (four trials) and per-protocol analysis (one trial) to meta-analyse the data. One trial compared ePTFE-covered stents versus bare stents of the same diameter and three trials compared ePTFE-covered stents versus stents of different diameters. ePTFE-covered stents versus bare stents of the same diameter One trial with 258 participants compared 8 mm covered stent versus 8 mm bare stent. Mortality in the covered stent group is possibly lower than in the bare stent group (risk ratio (RR) 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43 to 0.92; low-certainty evidence). Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.84), recurrence of ascites (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.87), and shunt dysfunction (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.61) occurred more often in the bare stent group than in the covered stent group (all low-certainty evidence). There was no difference in hepatic encephalopathy between groups (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.61; very low-certainty evidence). The trial did not report data on procedure-related complications, health-related quality of life, early thrombosis, and segmental liver ischaemia (a non-serious adverse event). ePTFE-covered stents versus bare stents of different stent diameters Three trials compared ePTFE-covered stents versus bare stents of different diameters (10.5 (standard deviation (SD) 0.9) mm versus 11.7 (SD 0.8) mm; 8 mm versus 10 mm; and one trial used 10-mm stents that could be dilated from 8 mm to 10 mm). There was no evidence of a difference between the ePTFE-covered stents versus bare stents groups in mortality (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.16; 3 trials, 269 participants), procedure-related complications (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.57; 1 trial, 80 participants), upper gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.38; 3 trials, 269 participants), hepatic encephalopathy (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.30; 3 trials, 269 participants), and kidney failure (RR 7.59, 95% CI 0.40 to 143.92; 1 trial, 121 participants) (all very low-certainty evidence). Recurrence of ascites (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.85; 3 trials, 269 participants; low-certainty evidence), shunt dysfunction (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.92; 3 trials, 269 participants; low-certainty evidence), and early thrombosis (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.82; I2 = 0%; 3 trials, 261 participants; very low-certainty evidence) occurred more often in the bare stents group. There was no evidence of a difference in segmental liver ischaemia (RR 5.25, 95% CI 0.26 to 106.01; 1 trial, 80 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No trial presented data on health-related quality of life. Funding One trial did not clearly report funding sources. The remaining three trials declared that they had no funding with vested interests.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Based on the small number of trials with insufficient sample size and events, and study limitations, we assessed the overall certainty of evidence in the predefined outcomes as low or very low. Therefore, we are uncertain which of the two interventions (ePTFE-covered stents or bare stents of the same diameter and ePTFE-covered stents versus bare stents of different stent diameters) is effective for the evaluated outcomes. None of the four trials reported data on health-related quality of life, and data on complications were either missing or rarely reported. We lack high-quality trials to evaluate the role of ePTFE-covered stents for TIPS for managing people with liver cirrhosis.

Nursing Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy

This article provides a background of hepatic encephalopathy, its relation to liver disease as well as its prevalence in the United States. A literature review provides an overview of HE discussing the pathophysiology, evidence-based diagnosis, and grading of the disease severity as well as treatment options and interventions. A large emphasis of the article is placed on nursing's role of identifying and managing hepatic encephalopathy. The authors hope to provide clinical nurses with the tools and information needed to provide evidence-based care to this patient population. Pharmacologic therapies, as well as nutrition for these patients, are other topics reviewed. Education for nurses on the management of hepatic encephalopathy is important, as well as education needed for patients and families to support them through the treatment and follow-up care needed to manage hepatic encephalopathy. The authors also hope to provide nurses with education tips to provide the patients and families they care for during their hospitalization with HE, as well as on discharge from the hospital to prevent reoccurrence of symptoms.

Balloon-occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration Versus Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for Gastric Varices: A Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are well-validated techniques in the management of portal hypertensive gastric variceal bleeding when medical management alone is not sufficient. However, despite their effectiveness, the adverse effects from both procedures make each technique more suitable to different cohorts of patient's depending on presence or lack of certain comorbidities. This study aims to compare clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone both procedures for portal hypertensive gastric variceal bleeding.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a search of electronic databases from their establishment to April 2019. The goal was to compare the efficacy of BRTO and TIPS in preventing variceal rebleeding and the risk of adverse events such as ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. Predictors of overall survival and rebleeding were also analyzed. Meta-analysis was performed with STATA 15.1.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials and retrospective cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis. The number of patients who underwent BRTO and TIPS were 308 and 127, respectively. BRTO and TIPS have similar technical success rates (91.4% vs. 89.7%, P=0.995) and immediate bleeding control rates (97.7% vs. 95.9%, P=0.836). However, compared with TIPS, BRTO has lower likelihood of future cumulative rebleeding (10.6% vs. 18.7%, P=0.027) and hepatic encephalopathy (0.00% vs. 23.1%, P<0.001) but is more likely to aggravate ascites (22.4% vs. 4.3%, P=0.009). Serum albumin level and presence of hepatocellular carcinoma are both independent predictors of increased likelihood of rebleeding and overall survival (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both BRTO and TIPS are safe and effective interventions in the management algorithm of portal hypertensive gastric variceal bleeding. Although BRTO may be more effective at the prevention of future variceal rebleeding, the choice of BRTO versus TIPS should be tailored according to patient's comorbidities.

Case Control Study of Post-endoscopic Variceal Ligation Bleeding Ulcers in Severe Liver Disease: Outcomes and Management

Background and Aims: The management of post-endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) bleeding ulcers (PEBUs) is currently based on local expertise and patients liver disease status. The present retrospective study investigated associations between the endoscopic morphology of PEBUs and patient outcomes. Methods: Patients underwent EVL (primary or secondary), from January 2015 to January 2018, in two tertiary care hospitals in India (ILBS New Delhi and Dharamshila Narayana New Delhi). Mortality rates were determined at post-EVL day five and week six. PEBUs were typified based on Jamwal & Sarin classification system as follows: A, ulcer with active spurting; B, ulcer with ooze; C, ulcer base with visible vessel or clot; and D, clean or pigmented base. Results: Of 3854 EVL procedures, 141 (3.6%) patients developed PEBU, and 46/141 (32.6%) suffered mortality. Among the former, the PEBU types A, B, C, and D accounted for 17.7, 26.2, 36.3, and 19.8%, respectively. Of those who died, 39.1, 30.4, 21.7, and 8.8% had PEBU types A, B, C, and D. Treatments included transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS), esophageal self-expandable metal stent (SEMS), glue and sclerosant injection, Sengstaken-Blakemore tube placement and liver transplant. On univariate analysis, no correlation with hepatic venous pressure gradient, TIPS placement, size of varices, or number of bands was found. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-sodium score correlated positively with outcome. After adjusting for MELD-sodium score, mortality was best predicted by type-A ulcer (p = 0.024; OR 8.95, CI 1.34-59.72). Conclusions: PEBU occurred in 3.6% of a large EVL cohort. Stratifying patients based on PEBU type can help predict outcomes, independent of the MELD-sodium score. Classifying PEBUs by endoscopic morphology may inform treatment strategies, and warrants further validation.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) versus laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) plus preoperative endoscopic varices ligation (EVL) in the treatment of recurrent variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to compare elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) plus preoperative endoscopic varices ligation (EVL) in their efficacy in preventing recurrent bleeding and improving the long-term liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

METHODS

Between January 2009 and March 2012, we enrolled 83 patients (55 with TIPS, defined as the TIPS group, and 28 with LS plus preoperative EVL, defined as the LS group) with portal hypertension and a history of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding resulting from liver cirrhosis. The clinical characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups with respect to the patients' characteristics and preoperative variables. Within 30 days after surgery, one patient in the TIPS group died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, whereas no patient in the LS group died. Complications occurred in 14 patients in the TIPS group, which included rebleeding, encephalopathy, ascites, bleeding from a pseudoaneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, and pulmonary infection, compared with 5 patients in the LS group, which included pulmonary effusion, pancreatic leakage, and portal vein thrombosis. During a mean follow-up of 13.6 months in the TIPS group and 12.3 months in the LS group, the actuarial survival was 85.5 % in the TIPS group versus 100 % in the LS group. The long-term complications included rebleeding and encephalopathy in the TIPS group.

CONCLUSIONS

LS plus EVL was superior to TIPS in the prevention of gastroesophageal variceal rebleeding in cirrhotic patients. This treatment was associated with a low rate of portosystemic encephalopathy and improvements in the long-term liver function.

Risk factors for frequent readmissions and barriers to transplantation in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Hospital readmission rate is receiving increasing regulatory scrutiny. Patients with cirrhosis have high hospital readmissions rates but the relationship between frequent readmissions and barriers to transplantation remains unexplored. The goal of this study was to determine risk factors for frequent readmissions among patients with cirrhosis and identify barriers to transplantation in this population.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 587 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cirrhosis admitted to a large tertiary care center between May 1, 2008 and May 1, 2009. Demographics, clinical factors, and outcomes were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for high readmission rates. Transplant-related factors were assessed for patients in the high readmission group.

RESULTS

The 587 patients included in the study had 1557 admissions during the study period. A subset of 87 (15%) patients with 5 or more admissions accounted for 672 (43%) admissions. The factors associated with frequent admissions were non-white race (OR = 2.45, p = 0.01), diabetes (OR = 2.04, p = 0.01), higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (OR = 35.10, p<0.0001 for MELD>30) and younger age (OR = 0.98, p = 0.02). Among the 87 patients with ≥5 admissions, only 14 (16%) underwent liver transplantation during the study period. Substance abuse, medical co-morbidities, and low (<15) MELD scores were barriers to transplantation in this group.

CONCLUSIONS

A small group of patients with cirrhosis account for a disproportionately high number of hospital admissions. Interventions targeting this high-risk group may decrease frequent hospital readmissions and increase access to transplantation.

Dynamic changes of intrinsic brain activity in cirrhotic patients after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a resting-state FMRI study

PURPOSE

The majority of cirrhotic patients who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) experienced the first post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy (HE) episode within the first three months after TIPS insertion. However, so far, little is known about the exact neuro-pathophysiological mechanism of TIPS's effects on brain function. We aimed to investigate the dynamics of brain function alteration of post-TIPS patients using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen cirrhotic patients who were scheduled for TIPS and 16 healthy controls were included in the rs-fMRI scans. Ten patients repeated the MRI study in a median 8-day follow-up interval following TIPS and seven in a median 3-month follow-up. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), an index reflecting the spontaneous brain activity, was compared between patients before TIPS and healthy controls as well as patients pre- and post-TIPS.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, patients showed decreased ALFF in frontal and parietal regions and increased ALFF in insula. Patients who underwent the median 8-day follow-up fMRI examinations showed decreased ALFF in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus and increased ALFF in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Of 10 patients in this group, 9 had moderate to large increase rate of ALFF value (>20%, mean 49.19%) in ACC, while only one patient with the smallest increase rate of ALFF value (<10%) in ACC, who experienced three episodes of overt HE during the 3-month follow-up. In the median 3-month follow up observation, patients displayed persistently decreased ALFF in PCC, ACC and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), while no increased regional ALFF was observed.

CONCLUSION

TIPS insertion alters cirrhotic patients' ALFF patterns in the resting state, which may imply different short-term and moderate-term effects on cirrhotic patients, i.e., both impairment and compensatory mechanism of brain functions in peri-TIPS and continuous impairment of brain function 3 months following TIPS.

Role of self-expandable metal stents in acute variceal bleeding

Acute variceal bleeding continues to be associated with significant mortality. Current standard of care combines hemodynamic stabilization, antibiotic prophylaxis, pharmacological agents, and endoscopic treatment. Rescue therapies using balloon tamponade or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt are implemented when first-line therapy fails. Rescue therapies have many limitations and are contraindicated in some cases. Placement of fully covered self-expandable metallic stent is a promising therapeutic technique that can be used to control bleeding in cases of refractory esophageal bleeding as an alternative to balloon tamponade. These stents can be left in place for as long as two weeks, allowing for improvement in liver function and institution of a more definitive treatment.