Successful treatment of severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS).

Abstract

Severe veno-occlusive (VOD) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients, and new approaches in managing patients who develop serious VOD is needed. In this report, we describe a patient who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS) for life-threatening VOD are following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for AML. Although the patient died of CMV-associated pneumonitis 5 weeks later, the TIPS functioned well until her death and permitted regression of the hepatic and renal symptoms. This report suggests that TIPS may be feasible and effective for managing patients with life-threatening liver dysfunction after marrow transplantation.