Early TIPS with covered stents versus standard treatment for acute variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis: a randomised controlled trial -

Early TIPS with covered stents versus standard treatment for acute variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis: a randomised controlled trial
Information type: Randomised controlled trials
Source: Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Specialities: Gastrointestinal disorders | Haematological disorders | Surgery
Summary
RCT (n=129 in China) found that early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) with covered stents improved transplantation-free survival in selected patients with advanced cirrhosis vs. control group (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25–0.98; p=0.04) and acute variceal bleeding.
UKMi comment
TIPS was carried out within 72 hours after initial endoscopy. The control group received standard treatment consisting of vasoactive drugs continued to day 5, followed by propranolol plus endoscopic band ligation for the prevention of rebleeding, with TIPS as rescue therapy when needed.
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