Value of Doppler sonography in revealing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt malfunction : A 5-year experience in 216 patients

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of Doppler sonography in revealing failure of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS).SUBJECTS AND METHODS. During a 5-year period, 1192 Doppler examinations were performed in 216 patients with TIPS. No regular follow-up shunt venography was performed. Doppler examinations were retrospectively compared with the results of shunt revisions. Sonograms with negative findings were compared with the patients' clinical status so that the number of false-negative sonographic findings leading to an episode of shunt failure (recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding or ascites) could be ascertained. Sonographic parameters assessed included diameter, velocity, flow volume, and congestion index of the portal vein; and shunt velocities.RESULTS. Doppler sonography revealed shunt occlusion in 25 of 26 angiographically proven cases (sensitivity, 96%). The combination of velocity criteria (peak intrashunt velocity ≥250 cm/sec, ...