Resumo: Objetivo: O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do procedimento denominado TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) em pacientes com hepatopatia crônica e hipertensão portal, verificar a incidência de complicações e a existência de fatores prognósticos da evolução clínica. Casuística e Método: Foram revistos todos os procedimentos realizados numa única Instituição, por um único operador, entre 1996 e 2004. Quarenta e quatro pacientes, sendo 30 do sexo masculino e 14 do feminino e com idade média de 52 anos, todos de raça branca, foram submetidos a TIPS. O sintoma principal foi hemorragia digestiva alta em 28, ascite refratária em 11 e síndrome hepatorrenal em 5. Foram verificados os níveis séricos de bilirrubina, albumina, atividade de protrombina e creatinina. Observou-se que 9 eram Child-Pugh A, 24 eram Child-Pugh B e 11 eram Child-Pugh C. Resultados: O TIPS foi completado com sucesso em todos os pacientes (100%), verificando-se uma queda do gradiente pressórico P/S médio de 49,69% que foi estatisticamente significativa. Comprovou-se a melhora clínica em 35 pacientes (79,55%), sendo 24/28 pacientes com HDA, 8/11 pacientes com ascite refratária e 3/5 com SHR. A mortalidade geral PO foi de 13,64%, sendo mais incidente nos pacientes caracterizados como Child-Pugh C (45,45%). Os fatores mais relevantes de mau prognóstico foram o aumento da bilirrubina e do nível de creatinina e a diminuição na atividade de protrombina. Verificou-se que 75% dos pacientes sobreviveram durante o período de observação de um ano. A sobrevida média de pacientes Child-Pugh A foi de 11,5 meses, nos Child-Pugh B foi 10,97 meses e nos Child-Pudh C foi apenas 5,90 meses, evidenciando uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na sobrevida dos pacientes de acordo com a classificação de Child-Pugh. Foram observadas complicações relacionadas com o procedimento em 14 casos (31,80%). Comprovou-se a oclusão do TIPS em 5 pacientes. Conclusão: O TIPS foi eficiente para diminuir a pressão portal e resolver as complicações clínicas em pacientes com hepatopatia crônica e hipertensão portal. As complicações e a morbi-mortalidade relacionadas com o procedimento podem ser consideradas aceitáveis. A mortalidade foi diretamente influenciada por alguns fatores clínicos, tais como classe Child-Pugh C e elevação dos níveis séricos de bilirrubina e creatinina Ver menos

Abstract: Purpose: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of TIPS (Transjugular Intra-hepatic Portosystemic Shunt) in patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension, to verify the safety of the procedure and the complication rates directly related to it. The existence of prognostic factors of postoperative outcome was also verified. Casuistry and Method: all the cases of patients submitted to TIPS in a single Institution by a single operator during an 8-year period of time were reviewed. 44 patients, being 30 males and 14 females, with an average age of 52, all of them white, were submitted to TIPS. All the patients had chronic liver disease and portal hypertension having as main symptom recurrence of gastro-esophagic bleeding or congestive gastropathy in 28, refractory ascite in 11 and hepatorenal syndrome in 5. The serum levels of bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time and creatinine were verified. Patients were stratified according to the Child-Pugh classification resulting that 9 were Child-Pugh A, 24 were Child-Pugh B and 11 were Child-Pugh C. Results: TIPS was successfully performed in all the patients (100%), verifying a fall in the mean porto systemic gradient pressure of about 49,69% (from 18,98 mmHg to 9,55 mmHg) that was statistically significant. Additionally, it was observed clinical improvement in 35 patients (79,55%), being 24 out of 28 patients with bleeding, 8 out of 11 patients with refractory ascite and 3 out of 5 with hepatorenal syndrome. The postoperative general mortality was 13,64% being the highest incidence in patients classified as Child-Pugh C (45,45%). The analysis of the clinical variables that characterized the patients showed that the most relevant factors associated to a poor outcome were high serum levels of bilirubin and creatinin and prolonged prothrombin time. Seventy five percent of patients survived during the first year of observation. The mean survival time was 11,5 months for patients Child-Pugh A, 10,97 months for patients Child-Pugh B and only 5,90 months for patients Child-Pugh C, evidencing a significant statistical difference in patients survival related to the Child-Pugh status. Complications directly related to the procedure were observed in 14 cases (31,80%). Additionally it was seen the occlusion of TIPS in 5 patients. Conclusion: TIPS is efficient to reduce portal pressure and to solve clinical complications in patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. Complications and morbidity and mortality related to the procedure can be considered acceptable. Mortality was directly influenced by some clinical factors such as Child-Pugh class C, high bilirubin and creatinine levels which means, that a good selection should be done when TIPS is indicated. TIPS is a valuable tool to preserve patients who are in the waiting list for a liver transplantation Ver menos