Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous hydrodynamic thrombectomy in restoring patency of acutely thrombosed stent-shunts after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).
Methods: Percutaneous hydrodynamic thrombectomy was performed in five consecutive patients with angiographically documented complete thrombosis of the stent-shunt which developed within 2 weeks after the TIPS procedure. Thrombectomy was performed with a hydrolytic suction thrombectomy catheter, introduced via a transjugular approach.
Results: In all patients, immediate restoration of patency of the stent-shunt was achieved after deploying additional stent(s) to cover residual adherent mural thrombus. In two patients early reocclusion occurred.
Conclusion: Percutaneous hydrolytic suction thrombectomy in acutely thrombosed intrahepatic portosystemic shunts is technically feasible.