Title:TIPS with a Twist – The Real Life Management of a Case of Budd-Chiarirelated
Acute Liver and Subsequent Multiple Organ Failure
Volume: 20
Author(s): Rares Craciun, Romeo Chira*, Andrada Nemes, Horia Stefanescu, Simona Cocu and Bogdan Procopet
Affiliation:
- Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" Universirty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 1st Medical Clinic, Cluj County Emergency Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Keywords:
TIPS, Budd chiari, Gastric variceal bleeding, Acute liver failure, Case report, Multiple organ failure.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Budd-Chari syndrome (BCS) is a rare condition defined by the obstruction of hepatic venous outflow. BCS is a relatively infrequent cause of acute
liver failure (ALF), accounting for less than 1% of cases. Treatment for acute BCS consists of a stepwise approach, requiring anticoagulation,
angioplasty, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), and liver transplantation.
Case Report:
We present the case of a 31-year-old female patient with BCS, which led to ALF and subsequent multiple organ failure, which was successfully
treated with TIPS and endovascular coil placement. Initial diagnostic workup revealed the complete obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow,
spleno-mesenteric confluent thrombosis, and biochemical criteria of ALF. Her condition rapidly deteriorated towards multiple organ failure. At one
point, the MELD score was 42, while the SOFA score predicted a mortality rate of >95%. Following continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration
with cytokine adsorbent filters, TIPS was inserted, resulting in a portal pressure gradient (PPG) of 14 mmHg. Following TIPS, the patient had
persistent ascites and later presented an episode of gastric variceal bleeding with endoscopic and surgical treatment failure. TIPS revision with
further dilation led to a final PPG of 6 mmHg. During the procedure, selective embolization by coil placement of the spleno-gastric collateral
circulation ultimately resolved the variceal bleeding. In the aftermath, the patient had complete organ failure remission and was successfully
discharged with no ascites, encephalopathy, or significant impairment regarding daily life activities.
Conclusion:
In the rare setting of BCS complicated with ALF and portal hypertension-related complications, TIPS and endovascular embolization provide a
unique, effective, and against-all-odd solution.