My Amazing and Breakthrough Story

My Amazing and Breakthrough Story


After years of alcoholism, poverty , crime and near finally death, I finally have my break in life, my Cirrhosis (I was born with a rare genetic condition called Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency) , which causes genetic liver and/or lung disease), my early adult life become troubled due to bullying and confidence issues, I was drinking well over excess amounts, not caring if I live, thinking I will die anyway, because when your diagnosed with alpha-1 "theoretically" there's no cure, “What's the point in even living , am ugly never gonna get married, have kids or get a job.


So continuing with my self loathing and drinking myself into a stupor,  causing trouble, here there and everywhere, the worst happened when I was 17, I was diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis, I never knew I had Cirrhosis, but did know of the consequences of alcohol on the liver due to me being predisposed , as I have inherited two allied chromosomes , this is known as PI= then the two genes you inherited from your parents. This system is called phenotype, there are 4 major common genes found in the phenotype system. 



I was still drinking litres of alcohol, I was in poverty, shoplifting for alcohol , I was sent to HMP ALTCOURSE due to 9 shoplifting's, my family relations had stea





dily broken down due to my selfish drinking and causing drinking, not caring. Prison was no palace, let me tell you, (I have felt the lowest of the low in the world, just wanting to die and bearing hatred to everyone and myself.

Then over a period of 6 years had elapsed, by that time signs and symptoms of Cirrhosis where already setting in, I was becoming weaker every day, I have bled inside 9 times (this is called Variceal Hemorrhage), this is a symptom of chronic liver disease which statistically outweighed my chance of surviving. The due to repeated infections within the legs (called cellulitis , and tummy (called Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis), I then experienced one of the worst and major life threatening symptoms , which statistically meant that I had a 45% of surviving within a 1 year period.


This symptom is called “ascites”, water retention started to build up in my legs (oedema) and tummy (ascites), the felling of always being sluggish and run down was just awful every day, I could not cope, I was just wishing the end was nearer.  Then whilst being an in-patient at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, I met the warm and caring Hepatology Team, then a doctor (Dr Tim Cross) recommended I should do a trial for ATTIRE, I was asked by the team first to consent and sign forms that legally justify the Hospital is not responsible for any death or worsening factors that may occur as a result.


And here I am, eating fresh beef, fish fillets vegetables and a well balanced diet, I feel 100 miles an hour, my life has just begun, Never give up, remember KEY is motivation and follow thorough advice from your G.P or Dr.

WRITTEN BY: CRAIG MILLER
DATE:15 NOV 15
D/O/B: 28/06/1991
-----------------------------------------------
CONCLUSION:
All patient's who have chronic liver disease due to a secondary infection , and are admitted should
be offered the ATTIRE trial free of charge, offered by the National Health Service.
Albumin To prevenT Infection in chronic liveR failurE (ATTIRE) holds some part of the key to the recovery success in Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.






Me Now & Then

***HUGE BREAKTHROUGH FOR A1ATD***

My recovery which took about 2-4 months( whilst eating and maintain a healthy balanced diet) is a huge medical breakthrough for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and the possibilities of unraveling a potential cure within cells, who knows.





CHECK OUT MY FACEBOOK & GOOGLE+ PAGE FOR THE FULL DETAILS AND ALL THE INFO





MY FACEBOOK PAGE





MY GOOGLE+ PAGE

Trust unveils what single bedrooms will look like in the new Royal Liverpool Hospital

Trust unveils what single bedrooms will look like in the new Royal Liverpool Hospital



The Trust has unveiled what single-room care will look like when the new Royal Liverpool Hospital opens and has called on the great and the good of the City to support R Charity.
Guests including the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Tony Conception, Lord Lieutenant of Liverpool Dame Lorna Muirhead, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman and Garston, Halewood MP Maria Eagle along with religious and business leaders from the City, were given a tour of the new en-suite single bedrooms, at an event in support of R Charity.new room 002.jpg
When it opens in 2017, the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital will be the largest hospital in England to have all single rooms for inpatients with many of the rooms offering views of the Liverpool skyline. The Trust aims to raise £10m to invest in cutting edge equipment and additional comforts for patients and their loved ones, by the time the new Royal opens.
All inpatients will have access to smart TVs equipped with technologies enabling them to view test results such as x-rays, to access information on medical conditions and to keep in touch with loved ones through technology like Skype. The screens will also enable family members to upload cherished photos to make patients feel more at home. In addition religious services can also be broadcast to bed-bound patients via the screens. Visitors will be able to make use of reclining chairs enabling loved ones to stay overnight with patients and make visiting much more comfortable.
Aidan Kehoe, chief executive, said: “We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a world-class hospital which will set the standard for modern-day hospitals and redefine healthcare for the people of Merseyside. Single bedrooms are one of the ways we are transforming how care is provided for patients and how we are enabling families to be more involved in the care of patients.
“Single bedrooms will mean we can offer the highest levels of comfort, privacy and dignity while also reducing the risk of hospital infection. This mock-up facility shows what patients and staff can expect from single-room care when we open what will be a world-class institution; with the support of people from Liverpool, we take it even further.”
Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool said: “It’s exciting to see what Merseyside patients will have access to when the new Royal opens, and the impact it will have on the city. This is an opportunity to transform what healthcare means and seeing this mock-up facility today shows that we’re on course to have healthcare that we can be all be proud of.
“Liverpool’s best days lie ahead of us and we’ll continue to go from strength to strength. The new hospital and the fantastic health campus that will surround it illustrates the direction this city is heading in.”
Louise Ellman MP for Riverside said: “The new Royal is already having a positive impact on the local community. It’s fantastic to hear that over 1,200 people working on the construction are local with 325 from parts of Liverpool with some of the highest levels of unemployment. And also that 78 apprenticeships and 96 work experience placements have already been created on site. Visiting the single room and seeing some of the technology that will be used to support patient care, highlights how with all our support, the new Royal will be providing local people with the very best in the NHS.”

Liver Disease Diagnostic Videos

Liver Disease Diagnostic Videos


This is a liver biopsy procedure performed by Dr. Joseph Galati, in Houston, Texas. He is President of Liver Specialists of Texas, and Medical Director of the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at The Methodist Hospital, located in the Texas Medical Center.











FibroScan is an alternative to needle liver biopsy for monitoring liver health in people with hepatitis.

The 3 Types of Liver Transplantation & Detailed Information

The 3 Types of Liver Transplantation & Detailed Information 


C/O: http://www.news-medical.net/health/Types-of-liver-transplant.aspx

There are three different types of liver transplant that may be offered to a person:
  • Orthotopic transplant or transplant of a liver from a recently deceased donor
  • A living donor transplant
  • A split type of liver transplant

Orthotopic transplant

An orthotopic transplant is the most common type of liver transplant. The whole liver is taken from a recently deceased donor. This is usually from a donor who has pledged his or her organs for donation prior to death and has not transmissible illness or cancers that may be transmitted to the recipient.
For the surgery the surgeon makes an incision over the abdomen and removes the diseased liver. The donor liver will then be put in position and all the blood vessels and bile ducts would be connected. The incision is then closed with dissolvable stitches or surgical staples.
Drainage tubes are attached to drain away extra fluids. These are left for several days after surgery. Patient is then shifted to the intensive care unit for recovery.

Living donor transplant

Living donor transplant means the donor is a willing living person. The donor has the operation first in which the surgeon removes either the left or right side (lobe) of their liver.
Right lobe transplants are usually recommended for adults while left lobes are used in children. This is because the right lobe is bigger and better suited for adults, while the left lobe is smaller and better suited for children.
The recipient is then opened up and the diseased liver is removed. Then the part of the liver taken from the donor is replaced making the connections with blood vessels and bile ducts as in an orthotopic transplant.
Following transplantation, the transplanted lobe will quickly regenerate itself. Even for the donor the removed portion of the liver grows back. In the recipient the new lobe usually grows to 85% of the original liver size within a week.

Split type of liver transplant

Split donation involves transplantation of a liver from a recently deceased individual to two recipients. This is possible if the next suitable recipients are an adult and a child. The donated liver will be split into the left and right lobes. The adult normally receives the larger right lobe and the child will receive the smaller left lobe.
As with living donor transplants, the transplanted portions of the liver grow back to the original size by regeneration. This method benefits two persons at a time.

Auxiliary liver transplantation

Auxiliary liver transplantation is a variety of liver transplantation where the recipient’s own liver is not completely removed. Its purpose is to retain the native liver in case of spontaneous recovery or if there is a potential for future gene therapy in cases of hereditary or metabolic liver diseases (except primary oxalosis, Wilson’s disease or tyrosinaemia in which there is a risk of cancer in the residual liver).











New Liver Disease Information Videos


New Liver Disease Information Videos


Dr Nick Stern discusses acute liver failure. This video does contain some strong medical imagery



                    Histopathology Liver--Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency





  
                                      Cirrhosis: Phil's story
                                                           

  

                                                                                                                                                            Many of us enjoy a drink in the pub after                                                                                              work without realising how social drinking                                                                                              can damage health. Phil didn't realise the                                                                                              harm his alcohol intake was doing until he                                                                                            was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. He                                                                                          talks about his experience and the shock he                                                                                        felt at being diagnosed. 

Cirrhosis Complication Treatment Videos **VIDEOS CONTAINS GRAPHIC SURGERY**

Cirrhosis Complication Treatment Videos **VIDEOS CONTAINS GRAPHIC SURGERY**


ASI endoscopy course at Lotus hospital, Erode, India where in we are demonstrating a case of band ligation of esophageal varices . All the tricks of banding and potential complications of the procedure are discussed during this module.












Here we show this procedure  called paracentesis (removal of fluid from the abdominal cavity)











Living Donor Liver Transplantation using a Right Lobe Graft Explained

AASLD practice guidelines: the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of portal hypertension.

AASLD practice guidelines: the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of portal hypertension



Bibliographic Source(s)
Boyer T, Haskal Z, American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD). AASLD practice guidelines: the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of portal hypertension. Hepatology. 2010 Jan;51(1):1-16. [127 references]
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
This guideline updates a previous version: Boyer TD, Haskal ZJ. The role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the management of portal hypertension. Hepatology 2005 Feb;41(2):386-400.

Disease/Condition(s)
Complications of portal hypertension:
  • Esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding
  • Portal hypertensive gastropathy
  • Gastric antral vascular ectasia
  • Cirrhotic ascites
  • Refractory hepatic hydrothorax
  • Hepatorenal syndrome
  • Budd-Chiari syndrome
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
  • Hepatopulmonary syndrome
  • Veno-occlusive disease or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome
Guideline Category
Assessment of Therapeutic EffectivenessEvaluationManagementPreventionRisk AssessmentTreatment
Clinical Specialty
Critical CareGastroenterologyInternal MedicineRadiology
Intended Users
Health Care ProvidersPhysician AssistantsPhysicians
Guideline Objective(s)
To provide a data-supported approach to the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of the complications of portal hypertension
Target Population
Patient with complications of portal hypertension
Interventions and Practices Considered
  1. Pre-transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt (TIPS) evaluation, including routine tests of liver and kidney function; cross-sectional imaging of the liver by Duplex ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and cardiac evaluation (only when indicated)
  2. Creation and placement of TIPS
  3. Post-TIPS monitoring by Doppler ultrasound and follow-up to monitor for TIPS dysfunction
Major Outcomes Considered
  • Success rate of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
  • Rebleeding rates/reoccurrence of problem for which TIPS was originally inserted
  • Complications of TIPS
  • Mortality

Methodology

Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
Hand-searches of Published Literature (Primary Sources)Hand-searches of Published Literature (Secondary Sources)Searches of Electronic Databases
Description of Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
A MEDLINE search was performed from 1966 to 2009. A total of 1143 articles were found under the subject heading "transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt." Controlled trials and large series were sought during this search. Recently published papers were also used as a source of references missed by the MEDLINE search, and the personal files of the two authors were also used as a source of references.
Number of Source Documents
Not stated
Methods Used to Assess the Quality and Strength of the Evidence
Expert ConsensusWeighting According to a Rating Scheme (Scheme Given)
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Evidence
Grade I: Randomized controlled trials
Grade II-1: Controlled trials without randomization
Grade II-2: Cohort or case-control analytic studies
Grade II-3: Multiple time series, dramatic uncontrolled experiments
Grade III: Opinions of respected authorities, descriptive epidemiology
Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Review of Published Meta-AnalysesSystematic Review with Evidence Tables
Description of the Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Not stated
Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Expert Consensus
Description of Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Not stated
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Recommendations
Not applicable
Cost Analysis
A cost-effectiveness analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing transjugular intrahepatic portosystematic shunt (TIPS) (bare metal Wallstents) to distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS) reported costs of both in- and out-patient care. The average yearly cost over a 5 year period were $16,363 for TIPS patients and $13,492 for the DSRS patients. These yearly costs are similar to what has been reported for pharmacologic and endoscopic management of patients with bleeding varices. TIPS was slightly more cost effective than DSRS at year five ($61,000 per life saved) but difference was felt not to be significant. Using covered rather than bare walls stents was estimated to increase the cost-effectiveness of TIPS only slightly. The authors conclude that TIPS is as effective as DSRS in the prevention of variceal rebleeding and may be slightly more cost-effective.
Method of Guideline Validation
External Peer ReviewInternal Peer Review
Description of Method of Guideline Validation
The Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) provided extensive peer review of the manuscript. These recommendations are fully endorsed by the AASLD and the Society for Interventional Radiology.

Recommendations

Major Recommendations
Recommendations are followed by quality of evidence ratings (Grades I, II-1, II-2, II-3, III) which are defined at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field.
The Procedure: Pre-TIPS Evaluation and Contraindications, Mortality
  1. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) should only be performed by experienced interventional radiologists (or specially trained physicians). Success and complication rates should be monitored and if they fail to meet expected rates then review of the program should be considered (Grade III).
  2. The decision to perform a TIPS, especially in a high-risk patient, should be reached by a team consisting of a gastroenterologist/hepatologist, interventional radiologist, and, where appropriate, a transplant physician (Grade III).
  3. Preceding creation of a TIPS, tests of liver and kidney function should be performed as well as  cross-sectional imaging of the liver to assess portal system patency and exclude liver masses (Grade III).
  4. Reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) to less than 12 mm Hg should be achieved when the indication is bleeding esophageal varices. Embolization of gastric varices may be required despite adequate decompression of the portal venous system (Grade II-2).
  5. The degree of reduction in HVPG to control ascites is unclear, but at present a gradient of at least 12 mm Hg or less has been suggested to be a reasonable goal (Grade II-2).
  6. Patients with high predicted 30-day mortalities (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD] > 15 to 18 or serum bilirubin > 4.0 mg/dL) should be informed of their prognosis, and TIPS performed only in the absence of other options (Grade II-2).
  7. In high-risk patients, the need for liver transplantation should be discussed before the performance of an elective TIPS(Grade III).
Complications; TIPS in the Transplant Candidate
  1. Those performing TIPS need to be aware of both the procedural complications and  those due to portal diversion and be experienced in their management (Grade II-3).
  2. Each center performing TIPS should have an established program of TIPS surveillance, and although there are no established guidelines, Doppler ultrasound should be performed at specified intervals following the procedure and the yearly anniversary of the TIPS thereafter (Grade II-1).
  3. Ultrasonographic findings suggesting TIPS dysfunction or recurrence of the complication of portal hypertension that lead to the initial TIPS should lead to repeat shunt venography and intervention, as indicated. The recurrence of symptoms in the face of a "normal" ultrasound does not eliminate the need for TIPS venography (Grade II-2).
  4. TIPS stenosis is common when bare stents have been used, especially in the first year, and Doppler ultrasound lacks the sensitivity and specificity needed to identify many of these patients. Therefore, repeat catheterization of the TIPS or upper endoscopy should be considered at the 1-year anniversary of TIPS creation, especially in those patients who bled from varices (Grade II-3).
  5. Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stents are preferred to bare stents to lower the risk of shunt dysfunction.(Grade-I)
  6. As with any form of portosystemic diversion, the risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy is increased following TIPS creation. The prophylactic use of nonabsorbable disaccharides or antibiotics does not appear to lower this risk. (Grade-I)
Indications
Primary Prevention of Variceal Bleeding; Acutely Bleeding Esophageal Varices Refractory to Medical Treatment; Esophageal Variceal Rebleeding; Bleeding from Gastric Varices; Prevention of Bleeding From Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy (PHG) and Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE)
  1. The use of TIPS to prevent bleeding from varices that have never bled is contraindicated because of the risk of increasing morbidity and mortality (Grade III).
  2. TIPS is effective in controlling acute bleeding from varices that is refractory to medical therapy and TIPS should be used in preference to surgery (Grade II-3).
  3. Pending the development of tests that accurately predict the risk of rebleeding, TIPS should not be used for the prevention of rebleeding in patients who have bled only once from esophageal varices. Its use should be limited to those who fail pharmacological and endoscopic therapy (Grade I).
  4. TIPS is effective in the prevention of rebleeding from gastric and ectopic varices (including intestinal, stomal, and anorectal varices) and is the preferred approach for the prevention of rebleeding in this group of patients (Grade II-3).
  5. In patients with good liver function, either a TIPS or a surgical shunt are appropriate choices for the prevention of rebleeding in patients who have failed medical therapy (Grade I).
  6. In patients with poor liver function, TIPS is preferred to surgical therapy in the prevention of rebleeding in patients who have failed medical therapy (Grade III).
  7. The use of TIPS in the management of portal hypertensive gastropathy should be limited to those who have recurrent bleeding despite the use of beta-blockers (Grade II-3).
  8. TIPS is ineffective in controlling bleeding from gastric antral vascular ectasia in patients with cirrhosis and should not be used in this situation (Grade II-3).
Cirrhotic Ascites; Refractory Hepatic Hydrothorax; Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS)
  1. TIPS will decrease the need for repeated large-volume paracentesis in patients with refractory cirrhotic ascites. However, given the uncertainty as to the effect of TIPS creation on survival and the increased risk of encephalopathy, TIPS should be used in those patients who are intolerant of repeated large-volume paracentesis (Grade I).
  2. TIPS is effective in the control of hepatic hydrothorax, but it only should be used in patients whose effusion cannot be controlled by diuretics and sodium restriction (Grade II-3).
  3. TIPS is of investigatory use for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), especially type 1, pending the publication of controlled trials (Grade II-3).
Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS); Veno-occlusive Disease or Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (SOS); Hepatopulmonary Syndrome
  1. The decision to create a TIPS in a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome should be based on the severity of disease, and only those with moderate disease and who have failed to respond to anticoagulation appear to be reasonable candidates for a TIPS (Grade II-3).
  2. Patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome and mild disease can be managed medically, whereas those with more severe disease or acute hepatic failure are best managed by liver transplantation (Grade II-3).
  3. The use of TIPS to treat sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) cannot be recommended (Grade II-3).
  4. The use of TIPS to treat hepatopulmonary syndrome is not recommended (Grade II-3).
Conclusions
TIPS is an important part of the current armamentarium used to treat the complications of portal hypertension. Most fellowship-trained interventional radiologists are capable of creating a TIPS in a patient with patent hepatic and portal veins. Creation of a TIPS ranks among the more complex procedures performed by interventional radiologists, and it is important that each physician monitor their success and complication rates. As with any complex intervention, the decision to create a TIPS should be reached by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist who is experienced in the management of these patients in concert with an interventional radiologist. Pre-TIPS evaluation includes routine tests of liver and kidney function as well as Doppler ultrasound, contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver. Once a TIPS is created, it cannot be forgotten. The patient requires frequent monitoring by Doppler ultrasound and clinic visits to look for the development of TIPS dysfunction. The use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stents reduces the risk of TIPS dysfunction, but this will not eliminate the need for continued surveillance.
TIPS will effectively prevent rebleeding from varices and decrease the need for repeat thoracentesis in patients with hepatic hydrothorax or for large-volume paracentesis in patients with refractory ascites. However, TIPS will increase the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy and will not improve survival in any of these patients. Hence, TIPS should not be considered as primary therapy for any complication of portal hypertension with the exception of bleeding gastric or ectopic varices. In all other situations, TIPS should only be created when the patient has failed other forms of medical therapy (i.e., pharmacological or endoscopic therapy, diuretics, or repeated large-volume paracentesis or thoracentesis). In patients with good liver function and recurrent bleeding from varices despite medical treatment, a surgical shunt or TIPS appear to be equivalent therapies. Which patients with BCS are best managed by TIPS remains undefined, although creation of a TIPS in select patients appears to be of benefit. Creation of a TIPS for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) or hepatopulmonary syndrome is of unproven benefit and should be considered investigatory.
Definitions:
Quality of Evidence
Grade I: Randomized controlled trials
Grade II-1: Controlled trials without randomization
Grade II-2: Cohort or case-control analytic studies
Grade II-3: Multiple time series, dramatic uncontrolled experiments
Grade III: Opinions of respected authorities, descriptive epidemiology
Clinical Algorithm(s)
None provided

Evidence Supporting the Recommendations

Type of Evidence Supporting the Recommendations
The type of supporting evidence is identified and graded for each recommendation (see the "Major Recommendations" field).

Benefits/Harms of Implementing the Guideline Recommendations

Potential Benefits
  • Appropriate selection of patients for and use of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the treatment of complications of portal hypertension
  • Control of acute bleeding from varices that are refractory to medical therapy
  • Prevention of rebleeding from gastric and ectopic varices
  • Decrease in the need for repeat thoracentesis in patients with hepatic hydrothorax or for large-volume paracentesis in patients with refractory ascites
Potential Harms
Complications of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
  • TIPS dysfunction (thrombosis, occlusion/stenosis)
  • Transcapsular puncture
  • Intraperitoneal bleed
  • Hepatic infarction
  • Fistulae
  • Hemobilia
  • Sepsis
  • Infection of TIPS
  • Hemolysis
  • Encephalopathy
  • Stent migration or placement into inferior vena cava or too far into portal vein

Contraindications

Contraindications
Absolute Contraindications to Placement of a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
  • Primary prevention of variceal bleeding
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Multiple hepatic cysts
  • Uncontrolled systemic infection or sepsis
  • Unrelieved biliary obstruction
  • Severe pulmonary hypertension
Relative Contraindications to Placement of a TIPS
  • Hepatoma, especially if central
  • Obstruction of all hepatic veins
  • Portal vein thrombosis
  • Severe coagulopathy (international normalized ratio [INR] >5)
  • Thrombocytopenia of less than 20,000/cm3
  • Moderate pulmonary hypertension

Qualifying Statements

Qualifying Statements
  • These recommendations suggest preferred approaches to the diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive aspects of care. They are intended to be flexible, in contrast to standards of care, which are inflexible policies designed to be followed in every case.
  • Which patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) are best managed by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) remains undefined, although creation of a TIPS in select patients may be of benefit.
  • Creation of a TIPS for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) or hepatopulmonary syndrome is of unproven benefit and should be considered investigatory.

Implementation of the Guideline

Description of Implementation Strategy
An implementation strategy was not provided.
Implementation Tools
Mobile Device Resources
For information about availability, see the Availability of Companion Documents and Patient Resources fields below.

Institute of Medicine (IOM) National Healthcare Quality Report Categories

IOM Care Need
Getting BetterLiving with IllnessStaying Healthy
IOM Domain
EffectivenessSafety

Identifying Information and Availability

Bibliographic Source(s)
Boyer T, Haskal Z, American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD). AASLD practice guidelines: the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of portal hypertension. Hepatology. 2010 Jan;51(1):1-16. [127 references]
Adaptation
Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.
Date Released
2005 Feb (revised 2010 Jan)
Guideline Developer(s)
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases - Nonprofit Research Organization
Source(s) of Funding
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
Guideline Committee
Practice Guidelines Committee
Composition of Group That Authored the Guideline
Primary Authors: Thomas D. Boyer, Liver Research Institute, University of Arizona School of Medicine, Tucson, AZ; Ziv J. Haskal, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD
Committee Members: Jayant A. Talwalkar, MD, MPH (Chair); Anna Mae Diehl, MD (Board Liaison); Jeffrey H. Albrecht, MD; Amanda DeVoss, MMS, PA-C; Jose Franco, MD; Stephen A. Harrison, MD; Kevin  Korenblat, MD; Simon C. Ling, MBChB; Lawrence U. Liu, MD; Paul Martin, MD; Kim M. Olthoff, MD; Robert S. O'Shea, MD; Nancy Reau, MD; Adnan Said, MD; Margaret C. Shuhart, MD, MS; and Kerry N. Whitt, MD
Financial Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest
Drs. Boyer and Haskal were paid consultants for W. L. Gore and Associates, Inc., the manufacturer of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stent used for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS).
Guideline Endorser(s)
Society of Interventional Radiology - Medical Specialty Society
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
This guideline updates a previous version: Boyer TD, Haskal ZJ. The role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the management of portal hypertension. Hepatology 2005 Feb;41(2):386-400.
Guideline Availability
Electronic copies: Available in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Web site External Web Site Policy.
Print copies: Available from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, 1729 King Street, Suite 200; Alexandria, VA 22314; Phone: 703-299-9766; Web site: www.aasld.org External Web Site Policy; e-mail: aasld@aasld.org.
Availability of Companion Documents
This guideline is available as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) download via the APPRISOR Document Viewer fromwww.apprisor.com External Web Site Policy.
Patient Resources
None available
NGC Status
This summary was completed by ECRI on May 17, 2005. The information was verified by the guideline developer on June 13, 2005. This NGC summary was updated by ECRI Institute on February 28, 2010. The updated information was verified by the guideline developer on March 24, 2010.
Copyright Statement
This NGC summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases' copyright restrictions.