ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To estimate the risk of hepatobiliary infection, including endoTIPSitis, liver abscesses, and cholangitis, after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation in patients with prior biliary intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multi-institution, retrospective study identified 76 patients (n=48 males; mean age 54.9; mean model for end stage liver disease score=13.2; n=45 for ascites and n=23 for varices; n=31 with prior liver transplantation) among 2,130 undergoing TIPS (3.6%) who had prior biliary intervention (n=19 bilioenteric anastomoses, n=35 sphincterotomies, n=28 internal plastic stents, n=4 internal metal stents, and n=6 percutaneous biliary drains). The baseline risk of post-TIPS hepatobiliary infection was estimated from a control group of 1,202 TIPS procedures in patients without prior biliary intervention. RESULTS: Eleven of 76 patients (14.5%) developed hepatobiliary infection after TIPS, including 7 with endoTIPSitis, 4 with hepatic abscesses, and 2 with cholangitis. The 30-day risk of infection was 10.9% (95% CI=3.5-17.8%), significantly higher than the 0.4% risk (95% CI=0.1-0.8%) observed in patients without prior biliary intervention (hazard ratio (HR)=25.56, 95% CI=8.36-78.13, p<0.001). All types of biliary intervention were associated with increased risk of infection, with bilioenteric anastomoses conferring the highest risk. Paradoxically, among patients with prior biliary intervention, use of post-procedural antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with an increased infection risk (HR=19.85; 95% CI=2.44-161.50; p=0.005). Microbial culture data showed high rates of Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Candida species. CONCLUSIONS: Prior biliary intervention was associated with a 10.9% risk of hepatobiliary infection, including endoTIPSitis, liver abscess, and cholangitis, within 30 days after TIPS creation.
