Transcatheter local thrombolysis in patients with extensive TIPS thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter local thrombolytic therapy in patients with portosplanchnic venous thrombosis has been used in few cases.

CASE REPORTS: Here, we present our single-center experience with transcatheter thrombolytic therapy in three patients with extensive refractory portal and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) thrombosis. Thrombolytic therapy was successful for all three patients. Two patients developed minor procedure-related bleeding.

CONCLUSION: Local thrombolysis could be proposed in case of TIPS thrombosis for patients in whom the venous flow cannot be restored by using conventional anticoagulant therapy and stent mechanical revision.