Jorge Enrique Lopera MD, Presenter: Consultant, Boston Scientific Corporation

Venkata S. Katabathina MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Martin Goros, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Brian T. Bosworth MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Deepak Garg MBBS, MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ghazwan M. Faozi Kroma MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andres Garza, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rajeev Suri MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To study the incidence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after elective Tips using the Viatorr stent graft and determine if there is any potential relationship between the puncture site and development of PVT.

A retrospective review of medical records of patients that underwent elective Tips with the Viatorr stent graft was performed. Contrast enhanced cross sectional imaging studies, performed within 1 year after Tips were evaluated for PVT. The puncture site for Tips was determined in direct portograms and classified as central or peripheral. Any potential relationship between the puncture site and the presence of PVT was determined.

Elective Tips with the Viatorr was performed in 48 patients (ages 28-70 mean 54 ). Follow-up imaging demonstrated that the presence of branch PVT was very frequent (38/48, 79%), and affected the right anterior (n=6), right posterior (n=25) or left  (n=7) portal veins. There were no main portal vein thromboses. Central punctures in 12 patients were associated with PVT in 9 occasions. More peripheral punctures at the confluence of the right portal branches in 22 patients, or in a more peripheral  right branch in 14 patients, were associated with segmental PVT in 17 and 12 patients, respectively. In only in 1 patient there was a technical problem with stent placement. Overall there was no correlation between the puncture site and the presence of PVT ( Fisher Exact test p=0.1) .

Thrombosis  of major portal vein branches is a very frequent imaging finding after elective Tips with the Viatorr stent graft. There was no correlation between the puncture site, central or peripheral , and the presence of PVT.

Thrombosis of major portal vein branches is a frequent imaging finding after elective Tips with the Viatorr stent. However, there is not correlation  between PVT and the site of puncture .

Lopera, J, Katabathina, V, Goros, M, Bosworth, B, Garg, D, Kroma, G, Garza, A, Suri, R, Portal Vein Thrombosis after Tips with the Viatorr Stent Graft: Imaging Frequency and Correlation with Site of Puncture.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13012234.html