Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the treatment of schistosomiasis-induced portal hypertension: a retrospective case series

Background and aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the treatment of portal hypertension caused by schistosomiasis. Methods This study included 43 patients with schistosomiasis-induced portal hypertension treated with TIPS in our institution from December 2015 to May 2021. The demographic, imaging, clinical and follow-up data of patients were recorded retrospectively to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the procedure. Results All patients were successfully implanted with stents to establish shunt, and 90.7% of the patients were in good postoperative condition with no complications. After TIPS, the Yerdel grade of portal vein thrombosis decreased, and the portal pressure gradient decreased from 27.0 +/- 4.9 mmHg to 11.3 +/- 3.8 mmHg (P < 0.001). Bleeding was effectively controlled, with a postoperative rebleeding rate of 9.3%, which was an 87.9% reduction from the preoperative rate. The cumulative incidence of postoperative refractory ascites, shunt dysfunction, overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) and death were all similar to those of TIPS for nonschistosomiasis portal hypertension. There were no differences in liver and kidney function and blood coagulation indexes before and 3 months after TIPS. Albumin was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality after TIPS for schistosomal liver fibrosis. Conclusion TIPS can be used as a well-tolerated and effective treatment for schistosomiasis-induced portal hypertension, effectively reduce portal pressure gradient and improve portal vein thrombosis.