Monitoring of ePTFE coated transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt patency by contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Objectives: Because of their high patency rates ePTFE coated transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stents (TIPS) have become standard treatment for portal hypertension related complications. TIPS function evaluation is generally performed by colour-doppler ultrasound (CDUS). In this pilot series the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for function monitoring of ePTFE-coated stents was evaluated. Methods: 16 patients underwent subsequent CDUS and CEUS of the TIPS tract within different time intervals (up to 18 months) after TIPS insertion. The visibility of CDUS and CEUS signal in the proximal, m…