Advanced chronic renal disease is an independent risk factor for inpatient mortality following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure.

BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure used to alleviate portal hypertension in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. However, the risks and outcomes associated with TIPS in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the perioperative outcomes of TIPS procedures in patients with advanced CKD using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, a comprehensive all-payer inpatient database in the US.

METHODS: The study identified patients who underwent TIPS procedures in the NIS database from Q4 2015 to 2020. Patients with advanced CKD were identified using specific ICD-10-CM codes, and they were compared to patients without CKD. Preoperative variables, including demographics, indications for TIPS, comorbidities, APR-DRG subclass, primary payer status, and hospital characteristics, were noted. Perioperative outcomes were examined by multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: A total of 248 patients with advanced CKD and 5511 patients without CKD undergoing TIPS procedures were identified in the NIS database. Compared to non-CKD, patients with advanced CKD had higher mortality (13.70% vs. 8.60%, aOR = 1.56, P = 0.03), acute kidney injury (51.21% vs. 29.34, aOR = 1.46, P < 0.01), transfer out (25.00% vs. 12.84%, aOR = 1.88, P < 0.01), and length of stay over 7 days (64.11% vs. 38.97%, aOR = 2.34, P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in hepatic encephalopathy (31.85% vs. 27.19%, aOR = 1.12, P = 0.42).

CONCLUSION: Advanced CKD patients undergoing TIPS are at higher risk of mortality and AKI compared to patients without CKD; HE was mildly elevated but NS. Long-term prognosis of patients with advanced CKD who had TIPS is needed in future studies.