Peritoneovenous Shunt Insertion for Intractable Ascites-A District General Hospital Experience

Journal Article · Sun Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2004 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S00270-004-0146-X· OSTI ID:21088249

Meer, Ziad F ^[1]; Lopez, Anthony J ^[2]

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1. St. George's Hospital, Radiology Department (United Kingdom)
2. Royal Surrey County Hospital and St. Luke's Cancer Centre, Radiology Department (United Kingdom)

Ascites often contributes to patient morbidity and discomfort. When refractory to medical management, it has been managed with repeated paracentesis, implantable ports for drainage, or diversion to the urinary bladder. Peritoneovenous shunt insertion has been a technique that was traditionally performed only by surgeons but is now within the realm of interventional radiologists. Its advantage is that protein-rich ascitic fluid is returned to the intravascular compartment. This retrospective study elaborates on the successes and problems encountered during shunt insertion in our first 13 patients. Two patients are well with a functioning shunt at 14 and 32 weeks. In 6 the shunt functioned until the patients' death from the underlying malignancy. Two required revision with variable success and in 2, shunt function could not be salvaged. There was one procedure-related mortality. Radiological insertion of these shunts is feasible and should be considered for selected patients. Options are available for assessment and salvaging of dysfunctional shunts.

• OSTI ID: 21088249
• Journal Information: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Journal Name: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 27; ISSN 0174-1551; ISSN CAIRDG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ASCITES
BLADDER
BYPASSES
DEATH
DISEASE INCIDENCE
HOSPITALS
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
PATIENTS
PROTEINS