Treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome may require therapy with portal decompressive surgery. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt has recently emerged as a new treatment alternative to surgical shunting, but reported literature is scarce and its long-term outcome is to be evaluated. The aim of our study was to present two patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Two female patients with acute and subacute Budd-Chiari syndrome respectively, uncontrolled by medical therapy, were referred for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting. Both patients had refractory ascites, while one had hepatic insufficiency. Hepatic vein thrombosis was without definitive etiology in one patient and due to essential thrombocytosis in the other. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was successfully created in both patients; in one a transcaval approach was performed. Bare stents were used in one, while in the other a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-graft. Technical success was 100% with no complications. Ascites resolved in both patients and liver function improved. The first patient remains asymptomatic with good shunt patency 6 months after intervention. The second patient is symptom-free two years after the shunt creation, despite stent occlusion. She remains asymptomatic due to hepatic vein collateral development. In patients with acute or subacute Budd-Chiari syndrome uncontrolled by medical therapy, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is highly effective with no complications and an associated mid-term clinical success.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for intractable posthepatectomy ascites

We report two cases of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for control of intractable ascites after resection of cirrhotic livers. The first case was a 46-year-old male who had undergone right lobectomy of the liver for a small hepatocellular carcinoma. His liver function had recovered within a week after the operation, but ascites drainage of 1-4 L/day persisted for more than a month despite vigorous medical therapy. We performed transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on the 49th postoperative day and the pressure gradient between the right atrium and the left portal vein was reduced to from 21 mmHg to 6 mmHg. Thereafter, ascites became responsive to diuretic therapy and was well controlled without complication. Second case of a 54-year-old male patient who had undergone left lateral segmentectomy due to a small hepatocellular carcinoma presented intractable ascites of 1-3 L/day, which was also effectively controlled after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt performed on the 34th postoperative day, though there was an episode of hepatic encephalopathy stage 1. Based on our limited experience, hepatectomized patients suffering from prolonged intractable ascites despite a favorable profile of liver function may be candidates for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with an acceptable risk of hepatic failure and procedure-related complication.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the management of Budd Chiari syndrome

Budd Chiari syndrome presents with a wide range of severity and duration of symptoms. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt has been used to treat selected Budd Chiari syndrome patients for several years. The technique of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may be more challenging than in cirrhosis because of hepatic vein occlusion. Covered transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt stents have reduced the requirement for follow-up interventions. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt has been a successful bridge to liver transplant for Budd Chiari syndrome but is the definitive treatment in many cases. Patient selection is important to determine who will benefit from transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or other treatments such as hepatic vein recanalization or liver transplant.     

Middle hepatic vein reconstruction of graft for a patient with intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Middle hepatic vein reconstructions for modified right liver grafts in living donor liver transplantation provide satisfactory results. We report a patient who had undergone transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt before living donor liver transplantation, in which the middle hepatic vein was reconstructed using a preserved great saphenous vein. A 41-year-old Japanese man with a 5-year history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices was admitted to our hospital for living donor liver transplantation. He had undergone endoscopic variceal ligations and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for esophageal variceal bleeding, and ascites. He had living donor liver transplantation, which was performed using his sister's right lobe without the middle hepatic vein. The recipient's estimated standard liver volume calculated by abdominal computer-assisted tomography was 1166 mL. The exact weight of the donor's right lobe was 507 g, which was equivalent to 44% of the recipient's standard liver volume. At bench surgery, the middle hepatic vein was reconstructed using a preserved great saphenous vein, which was cut in 2 strips to make a thicker tube graft by suturing, and subsequently, the newly made tube graft end was anastomosed to V5 and V8 branches of the graft. The metallic stent for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt buried in the recipient's right hepatic vein was removed with the right hepatic vein. The other end of the saphenous tube graft was anastomosed to the right anterior aspect of the vena cava. Stumps of the middle and left hepatic veins were oversewn. Postoperative blood flow in the graft and the reconstructed hepatic veins has been satisfactory with normal liver functions.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the management of ascites and hepatorenal syndrome

Ascites is the most common complication of liver cirrhosis and when it develops mortality is 50% at 5 years, apart from liver transplantation. Large volume paracentesis has been the only option for ascites refractory to medical treatment. The role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the management of diuretic-resistant ascites has been evaluated in many cohort studies and five randomized trials up to now, clearly showing improvement in natriuresis and clinical efficacy. It, however, remains unclear how transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt affects survival and quality of life, because hospital admissions owing to worsening encephalopathy may counterbalance the reduced need of paracentesis. What is clear is that the patient selection is critical. About 30% of patients with ascites develop hepatorenal syndrome at 5 years, leading to high mortality in its severe and progressive form. As its main pathogenetic factor is derangement of circulatory function owing to portal hypertension, these patients may benefit from transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, but this has been shown only in small series, in which mortality remains very high, owing to the underlying poor liver function.     

Emerging issues in the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for management of portal hypertension: Time to update the guidelines?

Since its first introduction in the 1980s, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt has played an increasingly important role in the management and treatment of the complications of portal hypertension. In 2005, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases published the Practice Guidelines for the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the management of portal hypertension. Since then, technical advances and new interesting data on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt have been presented in the literature. The present review focusses on the applications of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and examines more recent studies on this topic; the current guidelines on the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt are also discussed. From the data presented in the most recent publications, it has become increasingly clear that the recommendations stemming from the current guidelines need to be reviewed and updated in several points. Changes in the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Practice Guidelines are needed for both common indications (variceal bleeding and refractory ascites) as well as uncommon ones (i.e., Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal cavernoma). In addition, a relevant technical advance has been the introduction of the polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents, which greatly improved the patency and clinical efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Consequently, new studies are required to re-assess the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt performed with new covered stents as compared with other strategies in the management of portal hypertension.     

Laparoscopic Sugiura procedure for conditioning of the blood stream through TIPSS in cirrhotic patient. Initial experience

The Sugiura procedure or the proximal gastric devascularisation was formerly the method of choice for esophageal varicose treatment in some patients. The frequency of this operation decreased stenting after the introduction of the transjugular portosystemic shunt into clinical practice. However this method performed laparoscopically could be useful as a complementary procedure when the blood stream through the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt is low and an esophageal rebleeding occurs. A 40-year old patient with hepatic cirrhosis and Child stage "B" was admitted to our clinic due to recurrent esophageal varicose bleeding. He underwent a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt implantation 27 months before the admission and the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt became occluded 3 times since implantation and was repeatedly revised. After admission a color Doppler of the stent was performed. The blood stream was 15 cm/s. The laparoscopic Sugiura procedure was performed after conditioning of the general status of the patient. Five ports were introduced 5 cm above the umbilicus, under the xiphoid, the right and left hypochondrium as well as the left mesogastrium. The dilated veins between the gastric coronary vein and esophagus and the short gastric veins on the great curvature were interrupted by means of an ultrasonic scalpel. The hiatus esophagus was opened, the esophagus was prepared up to the first pulmonal vein and the dilated esophageal veins were occluded with stitch ligatures. The operation was completed with Toupet partial fundoplication. The patient was followed 6 months after the surgery. No rebleeding occurred in this time period. Immediately after surgery the blood flow increased up to 97 cm/s; at 3 and 6 months follow-up the intrahepatic shunt remained open with 82 and 80 cm/s blood flow respectively. Laparoscopic Sugiura procedure performed as a complementary surgery after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt implantation increased blood perfusion through the intrahepatal constructed shunt and prevented its occlusion. However this initial experience has to be confirmed with a larger number of patients.     

The Role of TIPS in Patients with Refractory Ascites and Portal Vein Thrombosis

Nowadays the contraindication for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) had been modify. The experience and technology have reduce the complications for this procedure. We report a case of refractory ascites and portal vein thrombosis to emphasize the role of TIPS in the treatment for this condition.     

Cirrhosis related chylous ascites successfully treated with TIPS

We describe a patient with chylous ascites, who was extensively investigated for the cause. No malignant or lymphatic disease could be found, but a liver biopsy revealed liver cirrhosis. The chylous ascites was unsuccessfully treated with a sodium restriction diet, diuretics and a medium chain triglyceride diet. After the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt the ascites disappeared.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in combination with oral anticoagulant for Budd-Chiari syndrome.

The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is characterized by arterial and venous thrombosis including hepatic veins. Although transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or liver transplantation have been considered for Budd-Chiari syndrome, treatment options for patients with complete obstruction of three hepatic veins including the junction with the inferior vena cava are limited. We describe a 27-year-old female, who suffered thrombotic obliteration of hepatic veins including the portion confluent with the inferior vena cava (Budd-Chiari syndrome) associated with marked ascites and liver dysfunction. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using a Wall-stent (10 mm in diameter) between inferior vena cava and intrahepatic portal vein was performed. Intrastent coagulation and recurrence of thrombosis were prevented by combination therapy with warfarin potassium and ticlopidine hydrochloride. These treatments induced loss of ascites and improvement of liver function, and she has been able to resume daily life. The portosystemic shunt described above in addition to combination therapy with warfarin potassium and ticlopidine hydrochloride appeared to be one of the options for treating Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.     

Early experience of Budd-Chiari syndrome treatment with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

The Budd-Chiari syndrome is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by obstruction of hepatic venous outflow at any level from the small hepatic veins to the junction of the inferior vena cava with the right atrium. We present two cases of Budd- Chiari syndrome with severe ascites associated with polycythemia vera in first case and protein C deficiency in the second, in both cases transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt were placed, with excellent control of symptoms, no mortality were observed, and just one episode of pulmonary venous thrombosis was observed. To our knowledge this is the first time that transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt are used and reported in Budd-Chiari syndrome in Mexico.     

Improved clinical outcome using polytetrafluoroethylene-coated stents for TIPS: results of a randomized study

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A 50% dysfunction rate at 1 year is one of the main drawbacks of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure. Preliminary experimental and clinical studies suggest that the use of stents covered with polytetrafluoroethylene could tremendously decrease this risk. METHODS: Eighty patients with cirrhosis and uncontrolled bleeding (n = 23), recurrent bleeding (n = 25), or refractory ascites (n = 32) were randomized to be treated by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts with either a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent (group 1; 39 patients) or a usual uncovered prosthesis (group 2; 41 patients). Follow-up Doppler ultrasound was scheduled at day 7, at 1 month, and then every 3 months for 2 years. Angiography and portosystemic pressure gradient measurements were performed 6, 12, and 24 months after the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure and whenever dysfunction was suspected. Dysfunction was defined as a >50% reduction of the lumen of the shunt at angiography or a portosystemic pressure gradient >12 mm Hg. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 300 days, 5 patients (13%) in group 1 and 18 (44%) in group 2 experienced shunt dysfunction (P < 0.001). Clinical relapse occurred in 3 patients (8%) in group 1 and 12 (29%) in group 2 (P < 0.05). Actuarial rates of encephalopathy were 21% in group 1 and 41% in group 2 at 1 year (not significant). Estimated probabilities of survival were 71% and 60% at 1 year and 65% and 41% at 2 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: The use of polytetrafluoroethylene-covered prostheses improves transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt patency and decreases the number of clinical relapses and reinterventions without increasing the risk of encephalopathy.     

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and Budd-Chiari syndrome due to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria managed with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), caused by somatic mutation of hematopoietic cells, is associated with complement-mediated hemolysis and a hypercoagulable state. Thrombotic complications in this disease are associated with reduced survival. We report a patient with PNH complicated by intracranial venous thrombosis and Budd-Chiari syndrome, who was managed with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old man presented with thrombosis of the superior sagittal and right sigmoid sinuses. Initial investigations did not reveal any underlying cause. Nine months later, he developed hepatic venous thrombosis. At this time, Ham test was positive. Flow cytometry confirmed the diagnosis of PNH. The patient was treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; one episode of stent blockage one month later was managed successfully with balloon dilatation and restenting. CONCLUSION: PNH should be considered in patients with unexplained venous thrombosis. Thrombosis in these patients needs to be managed with prolonged anticoagulation. For Budd-Chiari syndrome in patients with underlying PNH, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may be a good option but caution is needed to prevent stent occlusion.     

Severe veno-occlusive disease after allogeneic bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation--role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

AIMS: Veno-occlusive disease of the liver is a severe complication of allogeneic bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation with a high mortality. In its severe form, the portal vein is used as an outflow tract for the arterial hepatic perfusion. A portosystemic side-to-side shunt, e.g. a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, may facilitate portal outflow thus increasing hepatic (i.e. arterial) perfusion. METHODS: The effect of a transjugular shunt on liver function and blood flow was studied in three patients receiving shunt treatment 0-2 days after the diagnosis of severe veno-occlusive disease occurring 28, 20, and 17 days after allogeneic transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and chronic myeloid leukemia, respectively. RESULTS: The transjugular shunt reduced the portosystemic pressure gradient from 23 to 8, 18 to 5, and 33 to 13 mmHg in patients 1, 2, and 3, respectively, increased the stagnant portal vein flow to normal, and decreased the arterial resistive index, indicating an increase in the arterial perfusion of the liver. This was accompanied by rapid relief from abdominal pain and removal of ascites. The AST concentration dropped from 1230, 417, and 2930 U/l before to 93, 20, and 41 U/l and the PT-time ratio improved 3-7 days after shunt treatment while the bilirubin concentration continued to rise until the patients died 26, 42, and 33 days after transplantation from multiorgan failure (two patients) or intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: The transjugular shunt may have improved abdominal and hepatic perfusion and prevented further necrosis of hepatocytes. It did not, however, affect jaundice or survival, which was limited by extrahepatic complications.     

门静脉左支分流降低术后肝性脑病的临床研究

目的 检测和分析家兔门静脉及其分支的血氨浓度差异从而指导肝内门腔静脉分流术中对门静脉分支的选择,降低分流引起的肝性脑病的发病率。评价选择性门静脉左支作为经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉分流术分流道的临床意义,分析门静脉左、右支的血液动力学变化及重要液递物质浓度差异对术后预防肝性脑病及远期疗效的影响。方法 在家兔门静脉系统各分支分别取血测定血氨浓度并进行比较。341例有目的地选择肝内门静脉左支作为穿刺靶点,行经颈静脉肝内门静脉左支门腔分流术(transjugular intrahepatic leftbranch of portal vein portosystemicshunt,TILPS)建立门腔分流道,避开富含营养、毒素的门静脉右支血液。肝实质通道用8mm直径球囊扩张,限制分流口径。结果 所测得血氨浓度,肠系膜上静脉高于门静脉左、右主支,(19.3±19.3)μmol/L与(156.5±20.9)μmol/L、(176.3±22.5)μmol/L,t值为2.35、2.25,P<0.05;高于脾静脉与腔静脉;门静脉右支高于左支、所有患者术后3个月内无一例发生肝性脑病。随访期间(术后1年),TILPS术后341例患者仅5例 (1.47％)出现肝性脑病,19例(5.57％)出现支架内狭窄。结论 家兔门静脉系统各分支的血氨浓度存在差异,提示肝内门腔静脉分流术中门静脉左右支的选择可能会影响术后肝性脑病的发病率。选     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for hepatorenal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundHepatorenal syndrome is a severe complication of advanced liver diseases with a dismal prognosis.AimsThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome.MethodPublications were searched via PubMed and EMBASE databases. The pooled proportion and mean difference were calculated by using a random-effect model.ResultsNine publications were included, in which 128 patients with hepatorenal syndrome were treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The pooled short-term and 1-year survival rates were 72% and 47% in type 1 hepatorenal syndrome and 86% and 64% in type 2 hepatorenal syndrome. No lethal procedure-related complications were observed. The pooled rate of hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was 49%. The pooled rate of renal function improvement after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was 93% in type 1 hepatorenal syndrome and 83% in any type of hepatorenal syndrome. After transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum sodium, sodium excretion, and urine volume were significantly improved; by comparison, serum bilirubin slightly increased, but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionLimited evidence suggested a potential survival benefit of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with hepatorenal syndrome but with a high incidence of hepatic encephalopathy.     

Long-term renal sodium handling in patients with cirrhosis treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts for refractory ascites

PURPOSE: The long-term effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts on renal sodium excretion are not known. We sought to determine these long-term effects, as well as to measure the effects of a sodium load in patients who are free of ascites. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ten patients with cirrhosis who had been successfully treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt for refractory ascites were studied before the shunt and again at 6 and 14 months after the shunt while on a 22 mmol sodium/day diet. At 14 months they were also studied on a 200 mmol sodium/day diet for 7 days without diuretics. Renal sodium handling, central blood volume, neurohumoral factors, and hepatic function were measured. RESULTS: Sodium balance was negative at 6 months (urinary sodium excretion [mean +/- SD] 51 +/- 11 mmol/day versus 7 +/- 2 mmol/day pre-shunt; P < 0.05), was maintained at 14 months (22 +/- 4 mmol/day; P < 0.05 versus pre-shunt), and was associated with normalization of renin activity and aldosterone levels, but not norepinephrine levels, as well as significantly improved renal hemodynamic measurements. Sodium loading with 200 mmol/day resulted in weight gain associated with increased central blood volume and appropriate renal sodium handling in most but not all patients (urinary sodium excretion 188 +/- 14 mmol/day), despite persistent nonsuppressibility of sympathetic hyperactivity. CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites treated with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt, long-term renal sodium handling is improved. Adequate intravascular filling in ascites-free cirrhotic patients with normal portal pressure permits an improved but not normalized renal response to a sodium load, possibly due to persistently elevated sympathetic activity. Therefore, these patients should increase their sodium intake cautiously.     

Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by extrahepatic arterioportal fistula associated with portal vein thrombosis

An extrahepatic arterioportal fistula (APF) involving the gastroduodenal artery and superior mesenteric vein is rare and mostly results from iatrogenic injuries. The clinical symptoms associated with APFs may include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or even congestive heart failure. We present the case of a 70-year-old man who presented with chronic abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to APF and portal vein thrombosis. The endovascular embolization of APF was accomplished successfully, and symptoms of portal hypertension resolved immediately after intervention. Unfortunately, the patient did not respond well to anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. Therefore, the patient underwent implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and the complications of portal hypertension resolved. In conclusion, the embolization of APF is technically feasible and effective and can be considered the first-choice therapy in selected patients.     

SUCCESSFUL THERAPY OF BLEEDING DUODENAL VARICES BY TIPS AFTER FAILURE OF SCLEROTHERAPY

Hemorrhage from duodenal varices may be severe and life threatening. We report a patient with portal hypertension and bleeding duodenal varices caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Endoscopic sclerotherapy and intravenous vasopressin failed to control bleeding in this patient. Hemorrhage was subsequently controlled by placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. We recommend that in patients with life-threatening hemorrhage from duodenal varices caused by cirrhosis of the liver, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt be considered in the management.     

Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the treatment of nongastric extraesophageal variceal bleeding

OBJECTIVES: Although esophageal varices are the most common site of variceal bleeding, extraesophageal varices cause up to 30% of variceal bleeding. Unlike esophageal variceal bleeding, the experience in management of extraesophageal variceal bleeding, especially nongastric extraesophageal variceal bleeding is limited, and there are no established guidelines for treatment of nongastric extraesophageal variceal bleeding. This study aims to provide experience in treatment of nongastric extraesophageal variceal bleeding with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a tertiary medical center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all cases, admitted or transferred to Emory University Hospital, with extraesophageal variceal bleeding who had transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt as the final resolution to control bleeding over a period of 4 years, from January 1999 to January 2003. We also compared the outcomes after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for bleeding from gastric varices and nongastric extraesophageal varices. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (33 gastric varices and 8 nongastric extraesophageal varices) with extraesophageal variceal bleeding who had transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt performed were identified in this study period. Bleeding was controlled immediately in 90% (37/41) of those patients. The mortality was 7% (3/41). The rebleeding rate was 10% (4/41). Encephalopathy occurred in 24% (10/41) of the patients. Patients with gastric varices bleeding appeared to have more advanced liver disease than patients with nongastric extraesophageal varices bleeding. The outcomes after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for bleeding from gastric varices and nongastric extraesophageal varices were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is an effective and safe treatment of extraesophageal variceal bleeding, including bleeding from gastric varices and nongastric extraesophageal varices.