The History and Evolution of Balloon-occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (BRTO): From the United States to Japan and Back

ABSTRACT

The concept of obliterating varices that complicate portal hypertension dates back to the 1970s, but its minimally invasive clinical utilization was probably lost with the advent of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The conception of retrograde obliteration of a gastrorenal shunt via the left renal vein was reported by Olson et al from the University of Indiana. However, the definition, development, technical perfection, and clinical implementation of the balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) occurred in Japan (by Kanagawa et al and others). The BRTO-procedure is currently undergoing a renaissance in the United States particularly for patients who are not TIPS candidates.

KEYWORDS

History - BRTO - transvenous obliteration - varices - TIPS

REFERENCES

• 1 Kanagawa H, Mima S, Kouyama H, Gotoh K, Uchida T, Okuda K. Treatment of gastric fundal varices by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1996;  11 (1) 51-58
• 2 Kiyosue H, Mori H, Matsumoto S, Yamada Y, Hori Y, Okino Y. Transcatheter obliteration of gastric varices. Part 1. Anatomic classification.  Radiographics. 2003;  23 (4) 911-920
• 3 Kiyosue H, Mori H, Matsumoto S, Yamada Y, Hori Y, Okino Y. Transcatheter obliteration of gastric varices: Part 2. Strategy and techniques based on hemodynamic features.  Radiographics. 2003;  23 (4) 921-937 discussion 937
• 4 Ibukuro K, Sugihara T, Tanaka R et al.. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) for a direct shunt between the inferior mesenteric vein and the inferior vena cava in a patient with hepatic encephalopathy.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2007;  18 (1 Pt 1) 121-125
• 5 Yamagami T, Kato T, Hirota T, Yoshimatsu R, Matsumoto T, Nishimura T. Infusion of 50% glucose solution before injection of ethanolamine oleate during balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.  Australas Radiol. 2007;  51 (4) 334-338
• 6 Kitamoto M, Imamura M, Kamada K et al.. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric fundal varices with hemorrhage.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002;  178 (5) 1167-1174
• 7 Ninoi T, Nakamura K, Kaminou T et al.. TIPS versus transcatheter sclerotherapy for gastric varices.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004;  183 (2) 369-376
• 8 Ninoi T, Nishida N, Kaminou T et al.. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt: long-term follow-up in 78 patients.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005;  184 (4) 1340-1346
• 9 Akahoshi T, Hashizume M, Tomikawa M et al.. Long-term results of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric variceal bleeding and risky gastric varices: a 10-year experience.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008;  23 (11) 1702-1709
• 10 Fukuda T, Hirota S, Sugimura K. Long-term results of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for the treatment of gastric varices and hepatic encephalopathy.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2001;  12 (3) 327-336
• 11 Sonomura T, Sato M, Kishi K et al.. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric varices: a feasibility study.  Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 1998;  21 (1) 27-30
• 12 Kiyosue H, Matsumoto S, Onishi R et al.. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for gastric varices: therapeutic results and problems.  Nippon Igaku Hoshasen Gakkai Zasshi. 1999;  59 (1) 12-19
• 13 Koito K, Namieno T, Nagakawa T, Morita K. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric varices with gastrorenal or gastrocaval collaterals.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1996;  167 (5) 1317-1320
• 14 Chikamori F, Kuniyoshi N, Kawashima T, Takase Y. Gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt: combined therapy using transjugular retrograde obliteration and partial splenic embolization.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008;  191 (2) 555-559
• 15 Kumamoto M, Toyonaga A, Inoue H et al.. Long-term results of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric fundal varices: hepatic deterioration links to portosystemic shunt syndrome.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010;  25 (6) 1129-1135
• 16 Chikamori F, Kuniyoshi N, Shibuya S, Takase Y. Transjugular retrograde obliteration for chronic portosystemic encephalopathy.  Abdom Imaging. 2000;  25 (6) 567-571
• 17 Chikamori F, Kuniyoshi N, Shibuya S, Takase Y. Combination treatment of transjugular retrograde obliteration and endoscopic embolization for portosystemic encephalopathy with esophageal varices.  Hepatogastroenterology. 2004;  51 (59) 1379-1381
• 18 Chikamori F, Kuniyoshi N, Shibuya S, Takase Y. Eight years of experience with transjugular retrograde obliteration for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunts.  Surgery. 2001;  129 (4) 414-420
• 19 Miyamoto Y, Oho K, Kumamoto M, Toyonaga A, Sata M. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration improves liver function in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2003;  18 (8) 934-942
• 20 Hirota S, Matsumoto S, Tomita M, Sako M, Kono M. Retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices.  Radiology. 1999;  211 (2) 349-356
• 21 Sugimori K, Morimoto M, Shirato K et al.. Retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices associated with large collateral veins or a large gastrorenal shunt.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2005;  16 (1) 113-118
• 22 Fukuda T, Hirota S, Matsumoto S et al.. Application of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration to gastric varices complicating refractory ascites.  Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2004;  27 (1) 64-67
• 23 Shimoda R, Horiuchi K, Hagiwara S et al.. Short-term complications of retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices in patients with portal hypertension: effects of obliteration of major portosystemic shunts.  Abdom Imaging. 2005;  30 (3) 306-313
• 24 Takuma Y, Nouso K, Makino Y, Saito S, Shiratori Y. Prophylactic balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric varices in compensated cirrhosis.  Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;  3 (12) 1245-1252
• 25 Arai H, Abe T, Takagi H, Mori M. Efficacy of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration, percutaneous transhepatic obliteration and combined techniques for the management of gastric fundal varices.  World J Gastroenterol. 2006;  12 (24) 3866-3873
• 26 Arai H, Abe T, Shimoda R, Takagi H, Yamada T, Mori M. Emergency balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric varices.  J Gastroenterol. 2005;  40 (10) 964-971
• 27 Park S J, Chung J W, Kim H-C, Jae H J, Park J H. The prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcome of balloon rupture in balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2010;  21 (4) 503-507
• 28 Hong C H, Kim H J, Park J H et al.. Treatment of patients with gastric variceal hemorrhage: endoscopic N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection versus balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009;  24 (3) 372-378
• 29 Park K S, Kim Y H, Choi J S et al.. Therapeutic efficacy of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration in patients with gastric variceal bleeding.  Korean J Gastroenterol. 2006;  47 (5) 370-378
• 30 Kim E S, Park S Y, Kwon K T et al.. The clinical usefulness of balloon occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration in gastric variceal bleeding.  Taehan Kan Hakhoe Chi. 2003;  9 (4) 315-323
• 31 Cho S K, Shin S W, Lee I H et al.. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices: outcomes and complications in 49 patients.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;  189 (6) W365-72
• 32 Choi Y H, Yoon C J, Park J H, Chung J W, Kwon J W, Choi G M. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric variceal bleeding: its feasibility compared with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.  Korean J Radiol. 2003;  4 (2) 109-116
• 33 Funaro A H, Ring E J, Freiman D B, Oleaga J A, Gordon R L. Transhepatic obliteration of esophageal varices using the stainless steel coil.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1979;  133 (6) 1123-1125
• 34 Scott J, Dick R, Long R G, Sherlock S. Percutaneous transhepatic obliteration of gastro-oesophageal varices.  Lancet. 1976;  2 (7976) 53-55
• 35 Lunderquist A, Simert G, Tylén U, Vang J. Follow-up of patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices treated with percutaneous obliteration of gastric coronary vein.  Radiology. 1977;  122 (1) 59-63
• 36 Lunderquist A, Vang J. Transhepatic catheterization and obliteration of the coronary vein in patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices.  N Engl J Med. 1974;  291 (13) 646-649
• 37 Lunderquist A, Vang J. Sclerosing injection of esophageal varices through transhepatic selective catheterization of the gastric coronary vein. A preliminary report.  Acta Radiol Diagn (Stockh). 1974;  15 (5) 546-550
• 38 Tajiri T, Onda M, Yamashita K et al.. Interventional radiology for portal hypertension. PTO.TIO.  Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi. 1996;  97 (1) 70-77
• 39 Fukatsu H, Kawamoto H, Harada R et al.. Gastric fundal varices with an exposed microcoil after the combined BRTO and PTO therapy.  Endoscopy. 2007;  39 (Suppl 1) E247-E248
• 40 Olson E, Yune H Y, Klatte E C. Transrenal-vein reflux ethanol sclerosis of gastroesophageal varices.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1984;  143 (3) 627-628
• 41 Ferral H, Gamboa P, Postoak D W et al.. Survival after elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation: prediction with model for end-stage liver disease score.  Radiology. 2004;  231 (1) 231-236
• 42 Ferral H, Patel N H. Selection criteria for patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures: current status.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2005;  16 (4) 449-455
• 43 Montgomery A, Ferral H, Vasan R, Postoak D W. MELD score as a predictor of early death in patients undergoing elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures.  Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2005;  28 (3) 307-312
• 44 Anderson C L, Saad W E, Kalagher S D et al.. Effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement on renal function: a 7-year, single-center experience.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2010;  21 (9) 1370-1376