Factors predicting chronic hepatic encephalopathy after distal splenorenal shunt: a multivariate analysis of clinical and hemodynamic variables.

Background: This study was aimed at evaluating several factors that promote chronic hepatic encephalopathy by multivariate analysis of data for patients with cirrhosis with good or moderate liver function submitted to distal splenorenal shunts.

Methods: The study group comprised 131 patients: 55 had alcoholic and 76 nonalcoholic cirrhosis. Seventy patients were in Child's class A and 61 in class B. Cerebral function was assessed by a complete neurologic examination. Angiography with venous phase was performed before and within 1 month after the shunt operation. In 84 cases the original Warren technique was used and in 20 cases a Britton's modified procedure was used. Twenty-seven patients had distal splenorenal shunts with a splenopancreatic disconnection. Statistical analysis was performed by two multivariate analyses based on stepwise selection.

Results: Thirty-nine patients died during a follow-up period of 51 +/- 32 months. Chronic encephalopathy occurred in 18 patients (14%). According to the multivariate analysis of the preoperative prognostic factors, only age (p = 0.0001) and albumin values (p = 0.0002) were independent predictive risk factors for chronic encephalopathy. In the multivariate analysis concerning the hemodynamic consequences of the selective shunts, independent risk factors promoting chronic encephalopathy were postoperative portal perfusion (p = 0.0001), postshunt portal pressure (p = 0.001), and surgical disconnection (p = 0.0064).

Conclusions: Our study has shown that chronic encephalopathy after selective shunt surgery is promoted by both clinical and hemodynamic factors. A better selection of the candidates for shunt surgery and prevention of the development of portal malcirculation by accurate surgical disconnection should further decrease the risk of chronic encephalopathy.