Anatomic Recanalization of Hepatic Vein and Inferior Vena Cava versus Direct Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation in Budd-Chiari Syndrome: Overall Outcome and Midterm Transplant-Free Survival

Purpose: To assess overall outcome and midterm transplant-free survival of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) undergoing radiologic interventions including anatomic recanalization of the hepatic vein (HV) and inferior vena cava (IVC) and direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPS) creation, both as combined and as independent groups. Materials and Methods: From November 2010 to October 2014, 136 patients with BCS were treated with HV/IVC recanalization (group 1) or DIPS creation (group 2). Both groups were periodically analyzed for stent patency on Doppler ultrasound, clinical outcome, biochemical parameters, and survival until death, liver transplantation, or last clinical evaluation. Results: Actuarial transplant-free survival for the entire cohort was 94% at 1 year and 5 years with no significant difference in overall survival. There was significant biochemical improvement in group 1 with decrease in mean serum bilirubin level (1.8 mg/dL to 1.4 mg/dL, P<.011), mean serum aspartate aminotransferase (48.6 IU/L to 33.2 IU/L, P <.05), and mean serum alanine aminotransferase (38.7 IU/L to 28.5 IU/L) and increase in mean serum albumin level (3,2 g/dL to 3.45 g/dL, P<.001) after 3 and 24 months. There were 4 deaths in each group at 1-year follow-up; all 4 patients had acute fulminant BCS at presentation. Conclusions: Radiologic interventions for BCS lead to remarkable improvement of liver function and a good overall outcome and midterm transplant-free survival. Patients receiving anatomic recanalization show improved liver synthetic functions compared with patients treated with DIPS.