Recurrent TIPS Thrombosis after Polyethylene Stent-Graft Use and Salvage with Polytetrafluoroethylene Stent-Grafts

• Published in: Journal of vascular and interventional radiology Vol. 13; no. 12; pp. 1255 - 1259
• Main Authors: Haskal, Ziv J., Weintraub, Joshua L., Susman, Jonathan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2002
• Subjects: Equipment Design; Equipment Failure; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene; Polytetrafluoroethylene; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; Recurrence; Shunts, portosystemic; Stents; Stents and prostheses; Thrombosis - etiology; Stents and prostheses; Shunts, portosystemic; PTFE; PET; TIPS
• ISSN: 1051-0443; 1535-7732
• DOI: 10.1016/S1051-0443(07)61974-5

Increasing data support the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) stent-grafts for de novo and revision transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) applications. Animal experiments have indicated that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) stent-grafts provide no improvement or actually worsen TIPS patency compared with controls, but human TIPS experience with PET grafts is more limited. Herein we describe three patients who underwent de novo creation of TIPS with PET-covered stent-grafts at outside institutions, which resulted in immediate and recurring TIPS thromboses despite repeated thrombectomies. After the failed TIPS were revised with PTFE stent-grafts, the presenting symptoms resolved and uninterrupted patency was achieved.