TITLE:
Successful transjugular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt in an ineligible liver transplant patient with primary biliary cirrhosis with refractory ascites and aplastic anemia
AUTHORS:
Christopher M. Moore, George Behrens, Hector Ferral, David H. Van Thiel
KEYWORDS:
Aplastic Anemia; Ascites; Liver Transplantation; Paracentesis; TIPS
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.3 No.1,
February
17,
2013
ABSTRACT: A transjugular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt
(TIPS) is a standard way to decompress the portal system in cirrhotic patients
as a bridge to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Traditionally, TIPS has
been indicated for certain portal hypertensive sequelae such as refractory
ascites, varices treatment and even hepato-hydrothorax. Herein is a case report
on the efficacy of TIPS in an OLT ineligible patient with primary biliary
cirrhosis and aplastic anemia who had developed refractive ascites requiring
serial paracentesis and esophageal varices. He survived 2.5 years post-TIPS
placement and died from complications related to severe leucopenia and the development of sepsis.