Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an established treatment for refractory ascites as well as variceal bleeding [1,2]. Unfortunately, shunt dysfunction (stenosis/occlusion) commonly occurs in 13% to 50% of TIPS patients, depending on the stent type (covered or bare metal) placed. We report a case of occluded TIPS with splenic and superior mesenteric veins (SMV) thrombosis, which was managed with mechanical and suction thrombectomy, following angioplasty and stenting.

A 64-year-old hepatic cryptogenic cirrhosis male patient, complicated by portal hypertension and refractory ascites was treated in 2011 by placement of Viatorr TIPS Endoprosthesis (W.L. Gore & Associates, Newark, DE, USA; graft length lined 7 cm and unlined 2 cm, internal diameter 10 mm). On March 2018 he was referred to the authors’ hospital because of progressive increase of weight and abdominal circumference associated to dyspnea and lower limbs edema. The patient was in Child-Pugh B8 class, with normal white blood cell (5.23×10⁹/L) and platelet count (155×10⁹/L).

The annual routine Doppler ultrasound (US) performed three months before showed an evidently expanded stent between the right portal and right hepatic vein, with regular peak shunt velocity. The main portal vein flow velocity and directionality in the intrahepatic portal veins were normal. Abdominal US at the authors’ hospital, revealed an absent flow within the shunt, more precisely at the mid-shunt, the portal and hepatic venous end. Additionally, large ascites with marked abdominal distension was evident. Abdominal computed tomography angiography confirmed a subacute thrombosis of the main portal trunk, which extended to the right portal vein, and spleno-mesenteric confluence (Fig. 1).

The occluded TIPS was navigated using 5 Fr catheter and guidewire via transjugular approach, and venography confirmed complete occlusion of TIPS and thrombosis in main portal vein (Fig. 2). Initially, mechanical thrombectomy was performed using 10 Fr Aspirex S system (Straub Medical AG, Wangs, Switzerland) (Fig. 3A). A partial outflow within the shunt with residual thrombosis persistence in spleno-mesenteric confluence and decreased caliber was demonstrated with portal venogram images after the thrombectomy and aspiration procedure. Therefore an 8 mm and 10 mm balloon angioplasty was performed in the shunt and spleno-mesenteric confluence up to the main portal vein. A post balloon angioplasty venography still revealed an unsatisfying flow. Therefore four E-Luminexx 12×40 mm stents (Bard GmbH/Angiomed, Karlsruhe, Germany) were placed: two from the spleno-mesenteric confluence up to the main portal vein and additional two within the shunt. The portal venogram images demonstrated a rapid contrast medium outflow toward the shunt and the hepatic veins (Fig. 3B). Anticoagulant treatment with fondaparinux sodium, 5 mg subcutaneously once daily was administered for 30 days.

An US evaluation, performed 1 month after TIPS revision, showed stent patency between the right portal and hepatic vein, in the distal tract of the splenic vein, which extended to the spleno-mesenteric confluence with a regular peak shunt velocity. A minimal thrombosis with a regular blood flow direction and velocity of the spleno-mesenteric confluence, the distal tract of the main portal vein extended to the bifurcation and to the right branch of the portal trunk was revealed. Seven months after the intervention, US and CT scan demonstrated a complete thrombosis resolution of the shunt, intrahepatic portal vein branches and the main portal trunk up to the spleno-mesenteric confluence (Fig. 4).

Technical variables during TIPS creation, thrombophilic risk factors, hypercoagulable state and/or large competitive spontaneous splenorenal shunts, determining flow reduction in TIPS, can possibly cause stent occlusion. Furthermore, Yue-Meng et al. [3] demonstrated that low white blood cell count, high Child Pugh class and severe ascites are independent predictors of portal vein thrombosis in TIPS-treated patients with cirrhosis. An early detection and correction of TIPS failure is crucial. The most commonly applied technique for TIPS occlusion is recanalization performed through the jugular vein with a hydrophilic guide wire or a Cook needle (Colapinto or Rosch-Uchida) [4], although the access to the shunt is sometimes difficult [4]. Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies [5] could be: 1) fluoroscopically guided transhepatic stent puncture, 2) creation of a new shunt via direct cavoportal puncture or with the so-called ‘gun-sight approach’ [6] or 3) creation of a new parallel shunt [7].

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or pharmacologic thrombolysis, directly through the shunt, can manage thrombotic occlusion and stenosis of TIPS and of the portal venous system. Balloon and suction embolectomy, basket extraction of clots and other mechanical thrombectomy with special devices are reported MT techniques [8] which may be used to reopen the shunt and the thrombosed venous system. These MT techniques can be performed solely or in combination [9]. Obvious advantages of MTs could be the rapid removal of the thrombus without the need for prolonged lytic infusions, which is known for potential life threatening bleeding complications. Hilliard et al. [10] recently described the use of US-assisted thrombolysis for TIPS occlusion, demonstrating decreased risks associated with thrombolytic agents shortening treatment times. However, this technique requires additional equipment required compared to the standard catheterdirect thrombolysis and is therefore more expensive. In our case an subacute TIPS thrombosis extended into the portal, splenic and SMV, occurred in a cirrhotic decompensated patient (Child Pugh class B and with grade III ascites), which has been treated with the jugular vein approach and thrombectomy in combination with three mechanical techniques: mechanical and suction thrombectomy, following angioplasty plus stenting. This approach may be useful approach to treat TIPS occlusion where single conventional techniques might be ineffective or where thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated.