Targeted decrease of portal hepatic pressure gradient improves ascites control after TIPS.

Background: Ascites is a definitive sign of decompensated liver cirrhosis driven by portal hypertension. Although transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion (TIPS) is indicated for therapy of recurrent and refractory ascites, there is no evidence-based recommendation for a specific target of portal hepatic pressure gradient (PPG) decrease.

Methods: In this single-center, retrospective trial, we investigated the decrease of PPG in 341 patients undergoing TIPS insertion for therapy of refractory or recurrent ascites until 2015.