Plasma Ammonia Levels Predict Hepatic Encephalopathy After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement.

Background: Placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective treatment for portal hypertension. Overt hepatic encephalopathy (oHE) is a complication after TIPS associated with increased morbidity. Elevated ratio of plasma ammonia (AMM) levels compared to the local upper limit of normal (ULN) has been associated with oHE, hepatic complications and increased mortality in patients with cirrhosis without TIPS.

Impact of Frailty on the Prognosis of Patients With Liver Cirrhosis Undergoing Insertion of a TIPS.

Background And Aims: Frailty is associated with a poorer prognosis of patients awaiting liver transplantation. Data on the impact of frailty on prognosis after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)-insertion in patients with cirrhosis and the influence of TIPS on longitudinal changes in frailty are lacking.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed data of 123 prospectively recruited patients with cirrhosis in Mainz and Hannover prior to elective TIPS insertion and monitored them for death/liver transplantation or post-TIPS overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE).

Differences in the incidence of cirrhosis-associated complications between MASLD, MetALD and ALD among patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Background: Recently, the new definition of steatotic liver disease (SLD) has been introduced, which not only differentiates MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated steatotic liver disease) from alcohol-related steatotic liver disease (ALD), but also introduces the concept of metabolic and alcohol-related SLD (MetALD). However, potential differences of the new etiologies regarding the clinical phenotype of patients with advanced liver cirrhosis still remain undetermined. Therefore, we analyzed survival and the incidence of cirrhosis-related complications in SLD-patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

Minimal residual ascites 3 months after TIPS implantation implicates worse clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) implantation is indicated for recurrent/refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis. The prognostic impact of residual minimal ascites after TIPS implantation has not yet been investigated.

Methods: We included patients with cirrhosis undergoing covered TIPS implantation for refractory ascites in Vienna (2000-2022) and Hannover (2009-2021) with available abdominal ultrasound 3 months after TIPS insertion (3M).

Early Occurrence of Hepatic Encephalopathy Following Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Insertion is Linked to Impaired Survival: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background & Aims: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion. However, the prognostic significance of overt HE post-TIPS remains controversial.

Methods: We screened 2137 patients who underwent TIPS insertion at 8 German tertiary care centers between 2004 and 2021.

Comparison of clinical outcomes in patients with refractory ascites treated with either TIPS, tunneled peritoneal catheter, or ascites pump.

Background: Refractory ascites (RA) remains a serious complication in patients with cirrhosis. Currently, the insertion of a TIPS is considered the standard of care in these patients. To achieve symptom control in those with TIPS contraindications, tunneled peritoneal catheters (PeCa) or ascites pumps were introduced.

Identification of optimal portal pressure decrease to control ascites while minimizing HE after TIPS: A multicenter study.

Background And Aims: Clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis can lead to refractory ascites. A TIPS treats clinically significant portal hypertension but may cause overt hepatic encephalopathy (oHE). Our aim was to determine the optimal reduction of the portal pressure gradient (PPG) through TIPS to control ascites without raising oHE risk.

Insertion of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt leads to sustained reversal of systemic inflammation in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Systemic Inflammation (SI) is considered a key mechanism in disease progression and development of complications in decompensated liver cirrhosis. SI is mainly driven by portal hypertension and bacterial translocation. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion represents an effective treatment for portal hypertension.

No value of non-selective beta-blockers after TIPS-insertion.

Background And Aims: Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) are a well-established treatment in patients with clinically significant portal hypertension. However, their potential role after insertion of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) still needs to be determined. Of note, recent studies suggested that favourable anti-inflammatory effects of NSBB might be independent from pressure reduction.

High Prevalence and Clinical Relevance of Intrapulmonary Vascular Dilatations in Patients Undergoing TIPS Implantation.

Background & Aims: Considerate patient selection is vital to ensure the best possible outcomes after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion. However, data regarding the impact of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVDs) or hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) on the clinical course after TIPS implantation is lacking. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relevance of IPVD and HPS in patients undergoing TIPS implantation.

Post-treatment LSM rather than change during treatment predicts decompensation in patients with cACLD after HCV cure.

Background & Aims: Baveno VII has defined a clinically significant (i.e., prognostically meaningful) decrease in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in cACLD as a decrease of ≥20% associated with a final LSM <20 kPa or any decrease to <10 kPa.

Diastolic dysfunction is associated with cardiac decompensation after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: About 20% of patients develop cardiac decompensation within the first year after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion. However, risk factors for cardiac decompensation remain poorly defined. We aimed to evaluate predictors of cardiac decompensation after TIPS insertion in a large, well-defined cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis.