Brief Reports
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2005; 11(21): 3315-3318
Published online Jun 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i21.3315
Portal venous stent placement for treatment of portal hypertension caused by benign main portal vein stenosis
Hong Shan, Xiang-Sheng Xiao, Ming-Sheng Huang, Qiang Ouyang, Zai-Bo Jiang
Hong Shan, Xiang-Sheng Xiao, Qiang Ouyang, Department of Radiology, Changzheng Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Ming-Sheng Huang, Zai-Bo Jiang, Department of Radiology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Professor Hong Shan, Department of Radiology, Changzheng Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China. gzshsums@public.guangzhou.gd.cn
Telephone: +86-20-85516867-2316 Fax: +86-20-87580725
Received: July 19, 2004
Revised: July 20, 2004
Accepted: September 9, 2004
Published online: June 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the value of endovascular stent in the treatment of portal hypertension caused by benign main portal vein stenosis.

METHODS: Portal vein stents were implanted in six patients with benign main portal vein stenosis (inflammatory stenosis in three cases, postprocedure of liver transplantation in another three cases). Changes in portal vein pressure, portal vein patency, relative clinical symptoms, complications, and survival were evaluated.

RESULTS: Six metallic stents were successfully placed across the portal vein stenotic or obstructive lesions in six patients. Mean portal venous pressure decreased significantly after stent implantation from (37.3±4.7) cm H2O to (18.0±1.9) cm H2O. The portal blood flow restored and the symptoms caused by portal hypertension were eliminated. There were no severe procedure-related complications. The patients were followed up for 1-48 mo. The portal vein remained patent during follow-up. All patients survived except for one patient who died of other complications of liver transplantation.

CONCLUSION: Percutaneous portal vein stent placement for the treatment of portal hypertension caused by benign main portal vein stenosis is safe and effective.

Keywords: Angioplasty; Stent; Portal vein stenosis; Hypertension; Portal