Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation for cirrhotic portal hypertension is well tolerated among patients with portal vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) develops in cirrhotic patients because of stagnation of blood flow. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creates a low-resistance conduit that restores portal venous patency and blood flow. AIM: The effect of PVT on transplant-free survival in cirrhotic patients undergoing TIPS creation was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent TIPS creation for cirrhotic portal hypertension was carried out. A Cox model with propensity score adjustment was developed to evaluate the effect of PVT on 90-day and 3-year transplant-free survival. A subgroup analysis examining mortality of those with superior and inferior PVT was also carried out. RESULTS: A total of 252 consecutive TIPS creations were assessed, including 65 in patients with PVT. Survival of patients with high Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores (≥18) and PVT was not statistically different compared with patients with low Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores ( CONCLUSION: The presence of PVT does not impair the prognosis of patients following TIPS creation, particularly in patients with superior portal occlusion