Successful Management of an Unusual Complication after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Procedure

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a well-established treatment procedure in the management of sequelae of portal hypertension. Major complication rate of TIPS procedure is less than 5% and can have lethal consequences, if not recognized and treated early.[1] Arterial compression and subsequent segmental hepatic ischemia/infarction after TIPS procedure can be treated with antibiotic coverage and supportive care.[2] We present an unusual early complication after a successful TIPS procedure. The patient presented with capsular/subcapsular active bleeding from infarcted liver associated with significant compression of the posterior branch of the right hepatic artery by the TIPS stent. This unique complication was recognized immediately and treated successfully by embolization and supportive care.

Case Report

A 73-year-old man with idiopathic cirrhosis presented with refractory ascites of 2 months duration. Patient has been on medical therapy for ascites for 1 year. He became refractory to medical management and required ascites fluid removal of ~5 to 6 L every week. A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure was advised to reduce the portal hypertension and treat refractory ascites.

His laboratory findings were as follows: Hemoglobin (Hb) was 9.3 g/dL. Serum creatinine was 1.1 mg/dL. Total bilirubin was 1.2 mg/dL. Serum sodium was 134 meq/L. Serum albumin was 3.7 g/dL. Platelet count was 114 k/ μL. The international normalized ratio (INR) was 1.5. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 11. No hepatic encephalopathy was observed.

A preprocedure contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan excluded hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An 8F pigtail catheter was placed to drain ascites.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure was performed through a right transjugular vein approach. Rösch-Uchida set (Cook Medical) was used for puncturing the portal vein (PV). The right main PV was punctured from the right hepatic vein. Ultrasound guidance was used for puncture and the portal vein was accessed in 3 attempts. No arterial puncture was done during the procedure. Serial balloon dilatation of the tract was performed. Prestenting, portal venogram was performed ([Fig. 1a]). A self-expandable Niti-S (Taewoong) TIPS stent of size 10 × 90 mm (70 mm covered intrahepatic portion and 20 mm uncovered PV portion) was deployed. Poststenting, the stent was dilated to 10 mm. A portal venogram revealed widely patent portosystemic shunt between the right PV and right hepatic vein ([Fig. 1b]). Poststenting, pressure gradient reduced from 26 to 8 mm Hg. Unfractionated heparin (2500 IU) was used for anticoagulation. Spectral Doppler ultrasound done immediately after the procedure showed normal velocity (average 180 cm/s) in the portosystemic shunt and no obvious hematoma or perihepatic free fluid or collection. No change in color was observed in ascites drain catheter. Ascites drain color was clear till 4 hours after the procedure. After 4 hours, blood-stained ascites drain was seen. Tachycardia was observed with 100 to 110 bpm; however, no significant decrease in Hb was noted. Further planned anticoagulation was withheld. A 6-hourly monitored Hb showed a decrease of 0.5 to 0.7 g/dL over 12 hours (8.1 g/dL after 12 hr) and the patient developed persistent tachycardia (110 bpm). Hemoperitoneum was observed on ultrasound examination. Liver function tests and Contrast Enhanced CT (CECT) scan were performed. Serum total bilirubin increased to 1.48 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1123 U/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 930 U/L, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 450 U/L, serum sodium 130 meq/L, serum albumin 3.5 g/dL, platelet count 103 k/μL, and the INR 2.4. CECT revealed hemoperitoneum and wedge-shaped infarcted area in segment 6, and part of segments 5 and 7 of the right lobe of the liver. Arterial phase study revealed focal linear abnormal contrast blush in the subcapsular region of segment 6 with attenuated posterior branches of right hepatic artery ([Fig. 2a] [c]). Two units of whole blood were transfused. Immediate angiography and embolization was performed. Digital angiogram revealed TIPS stent causing significant nonocclusive compression of posterior branch of right hepatic artery. Super selective digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) revealed abnormal parenchymal blush and focal arterial ectasia matching CECT scan. Embolization was performed initially with gel-foam and later with 3 × 3 mm 018’ microcoil (Cook Medical) ([Fig. 3a] [c]). Postembolization, Hb and heart rate (84 bpm) were stabilized. Before discharge, on 5th postembolization day, Hb was 12.3 g/dL, AST was 126 U/L, and ALT was 206 U/L. Ascites drain tube was removed after draining 3 L of blood-stained fluid. Post discharge, at 6 weeks follow-up, no significant ascites was observed. Total serum bilirubin was 2.09 mg/dL (direct was 0.7 mg/dL and indirect was 1.39 mg/dL), AST was 125 U/L, ALT was 66 U/L, and ALP was 105 U/L. The patient had grade I hepatic encephalopathy with no recurrence of ascites at 5 months follow-up period.

Fig. 1 A 73-year-old man, known case of cirrhosis, presented with refractory ascites. (a) Prestenting, digital portal venogram done through marker pigtail catheter and long 10F sheath showing portal vein (PV) and right hepatic vein. (b) Poststenting, digital venogram showing patent stent with (open black arrow) with opacified distal superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and portal vein. Pigtail catheter (8F) placed for ascites drainage (black arrows).

Fig. 2 A 73-year-old man, known case of cirrhosis, presented with refractory ascites. (a) NECT scan showing hemoperitoneum (white arrows). (b, c) CECT scan arterial phase, axial and coronal images showing abnormal contrast blush (thick white arrow) in subcapsular area of segment 6 of right lobe of liver. Wedge-shaped hypoenhancing area seen in visualized right lobe of liver around the abnormal arterial blush.

Fig. 3 A 73-year-old man, known case of cirrhosis, presented with refractory ascites. (a) Digital angiogram of posterior sectoral branch of right hepatic artery (RHA) showing significant compression (black arrow) by TIPS stent. No dissection or thrombotic segments were seen. (b) Superselctive digital subtraction angiogram of posterior sectoral branch of RHA showing abnormal contrast blush in segment 6 artery and abnormal blush in adjacent parenchyma (arrow heads). (c) Digital angiogram after successful gelfoam and coil (white arrow) embolization. TIPS stent (black open arrows).

Discussion

Preprocedural assessment of hepatic function, coagulation, and imaging (ultrasonography, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging) are important before TIPS procedure to reduce postprocedural complications.[2] model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), and Child–Pugh scores are used to predict survival following TIPS. However, three-month and one-year survival were better predicted by MELD score compared with the other two scoring systems.[3]

Major complication rate of TIPS procedure is less than 5%.[1] Reported possible complications include TIPS dysfunction (thrombosis, occlusion, or stenosis) in 10 to 15%, transcapsular puncture in 33%, hemobilia in ~5%, sepsis in 2 to 10%, intraperitoneal bleed in 1 to 2%, hepatic infarction in ~ 1%, hemolysis in 10 to 15%, encephalopathy in 5 to 44%, and stent malposition in 10 to 20% of cases. Other rare complications include acute hepatic failure, carotid artery injuries, right atrial perforation, portal vein perforation, fistulae formation, hernia incarceration, infection of TIPS stent, and radiation injuries.[1] [2] [3]

Serious arterial complications like hepatic artery injury, liver laceration, intrahepatic hematomas, and acute intra-abdominal hemorrhage can occasionally occur in the early postprocedural period up to 2 weeks following TIPS placement in a patient receiving low molecular weight heparin or warfarin.[2]

Hepatic artery injury during TIPS procedure is seen in 1 to 6% cases. It is not uncommon to puncture the intraparenchymal hepatic artery branches during a TIPS procedure. However, precautions must be taken by the operator to identify the hepatic arterial puncture, not to advance the catheter, to withdraw the catheter if advanced, and to embolize the tract whenever required to avoid lethal complications.[1] [4] [5]

In patients with suspected postprocedural bleeding complication, CT scan should be performed to identify the source of bleeding. Anticoagulant medications should be stopped and reversed if possible. If an arterial source is identified, hepatic arteriography and embolization should be performed.[2]

Segmental liver ischemia and infarction after TIPS procedure had been reported with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stents.[6] [7] [8] Segmental infarction was also reported in post liver transplant case with poor outcome.[9] Transient segmental liver ischemia can happen due to hepatic venous outflow obstruction by PTFE stents, which usually resolves with the development of collaterals allowing the right hepatic vein to drain into the left and middle hepatic veins.[8] Hepatic perfusion after TIPS depends on the arterial buffer reserve.[10] Stent compression of the hepatic artery can also cause hepatic ischemia or infarction.[2] [4] [11] Ischemia may turn into infarction if portal and hepatic venous flow obstruction are associated with arterial pathology such as compression by TIPS stent or postoperative stenosis.[2] [4] [9] [11] Similarly, in this unique case, post TIPS CT scan done to identify the source of bleeding revealed significant stenosis of posterior sectoral branch of right hepatic artery by TIPS stent with attenuated distal branches ([Fig. 4a] [d]), which was also confirmed during digital angiogram and embolization.

Arterial compression by the TIPS stent with subsequent segmental hepatic infarction can be treated with antibiotic coverage and supportive care.[2] However, in presented case, CT scan revealed bleeding from infarcted areas with subcapsular linear arterial abnormality and hemoperitoneum. This was successfully treated by gel-foam and coil embolization. Post embolization, patient was under antibiotic coverage for specified period and received supportive care under medical gastroenterology team.

In view of significant arterial stenosis by TIPS stent, anticoagulation (low molecular weight heparin) was started after 2 weeks. In our institution, we routinely use anticoagulation after TIPS procedure for 6 weeks. In these type of cases, anticoagulation acts as a double-edged sword. If arterial stenosis is significant, anticoagulation will help; however, conversely it might lead to parenchymal bleeding in infarcted liver.

Fig. 4 A 73-year-old man, known case of cirrhosis, presented with refractory ascites. Pre- and post-TIPS comparison of CECT scan arterial phase, axial and coronal images. (a, b) Pre-TIPS. MIP images showing normal anterior and posterior sectoral branches of RHA. (c, d) Post-TIPS. CT scan images showing attenuated posterior sectoral branches of RHA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rare early complication like significant arterial stenosis, segmental infarction, and associated bleeding from infarcted area can happen after successful TIPS procedure. Early detection of such complications and treatment will prevent further liver damage and its sequelae.

Conflict of Interest

None.

• References

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Publication History

Article published online:
04 February 2020