Detection of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt dysfunction: value of duplex Doppler sonography.

Abstract

Our results suggest that Doppler sonography is an excellent noninvasive screening technique for the detection of complications of TIPS. We have found a temporal change in peak stent velocity greater than 50 cm/sec to be a more sensitive sonographic sign of TIPS stenosis than the previously reported low-velocity parameters. Our experience suggests that nearly all complications of TIPS can be detected by using three criteria: (1) no flow for thrombosis, (2) a temporal change in peak stent velocity greater than 50 cm/sec for stent and/or hepatic vein stenosis, and (3) reversed flow in the hepatic vein draining the stent for hepatic vein and, rarely, stent stenosis.