Patency of stents covered with polytetrafluoroethylene in patients treated by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts: long‐term results of a randomized multicentre study

Abstract An 80% dysfunction rate at 2 years limits the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in the treatment of complications of portal hypertension. The use of covered stents could improve shunt patency; however, long‐term effect and safety remain unknown. Eighty patients randomized to be treated by TIPS either with a covered stent (Group 1) or an uncovered prosthesis (Group 2) were followed‐up for 2 years. Doppler US was performed every 3 months. Angiography and portosystemic pressure gradient measurement were performed every 6 months or whenever dysfunction was suspected. Actuarial rates of primary patency in Groups 1 and 2 were 76% and 36% respectively ( P =0.001). Clinical relapse occurred in four patients (10%) in Group 1 and 12 (29%) in Group 2 ( P <0.05). Actuarial rates of being free of encephalopathy were 67% in Group 1 and 51% in Group 2 ( P <0.05). Probability of survival was 58% and 45% at 2 years, respectively, in Groups 1 and 2 (NS). The mean Child–Pugh score improved only in Group 1 (from 8.1±1.6 to 7±2.2 at 2 years – P <0.05). We also compared the Doppler‐US parameters between patent and dysfunctioning shunts. In patent shunts, the mean velocity within the portal vein was significantly higher but the performance of Doppler‐US was not accurate enough to predict shunt dysfunction. In conclusion, the improvement in TIPS patency by using covered prostheses is maintained over time with a decreased risk of encephalopathy, while the risk of death was not increased.