TIPS With 8- OR 10-mm Covered Stent for Preventing Variceal Rebleeding

The Effect of TIPS With 8- or 10-mm Covered Stent for Preventing Variceal Rebleeding in Cirrhotic Patients.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with 10-mm covered stent is associated with lower shunt dysfunction in comparing TIPS with 8-mm covered stent in cirrhotic patients with at least one episode of variceal bleeding.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cirrhotic patients with at least one episode of variceal bleeding
• No active bleeding within 5 days before TIPS
• Child-Pugh score ≤13
• Signed written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• An age <18 years or >75 years
• With TIPS contraindications
• Past or present history of hepatic encephalopathy
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Hepatic carcinoma and/or other malignancy diseases
• Sepsis
• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• Uncontrollable hypertension
• Serious cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction
• Renal failure
• Portal vein thrombosis
• History of organ transplantation
• History of HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses) infection