Portal vein recanalization-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PVR-TIPS) in liver transplant candidates with cirrhosis and complex portal anastomosis

Background & aims: Portal vein (PV) thrombosis may represent a relative contraindication to liver transplantation (LT). Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) used in portal hypertension complications, may allow portal vein recanalization (PVR). Methods: We reported PVR-TIPS in patients who were candidates for LT for clinical conditions but deemed contraindicated because of PV anatomy. We included consecutive patients undergoing PVR-TIPS at our center from February 2014 to May 2024. Results: We identified 25 patients (19 males [76 %], mean age 56 years [IQR 51–62]) in which PVR-TIPS was offered because foreseen high complex PV anastomosis. Twelve (48 %) patients showed main PV thrombosis, 8 (32 %) had cavernoma and 5 (20 %) had PV with very small diameter. PVR-TIPS was successfully achieved in all but one patient. All patients were listed after PVR-TIPS, with a listing MELD-Na score higher than pre-PVR-TIPS values (19 [IQR 15–23] vs. 16 [IQR 13–18], p < 0.018). Overall, 3 patients (13 %) were delisted for clinical improvement, 2 (8 %) died on the waiting-list and 16 (66 %) underwent LT. LT was technically feasible in all patients, without immediate major vascular complication. Conclusions: PVR-TIPS may be a strategy to enable LT in patients otherwise excluded due to PV anatomy. This needs high technical expertise and often at the expense of a worsening in liver function.