Aims: The role of various treatments for variceal haemorrhage is currently being evaluated. The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of the use of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS), variceal band ligation (VBL) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPSS) for secondary prophylaxis on the outcome of cirrhotic patients with the first episode of variceal haemorrhage presenting to a single centre.
Methods: Between 1986 and 1996, data from 225 consecutive patients with the first episode of variceal haemorrhage were analysed. The modality of treatment for secondary prophylaxis between 1986 and 1991 was EVS (group I: n = 83; Child class C, 29%; mean follow-up 36 +/- 3 months), between 1991 and 1993 VBL (group II: n = 56; Child class C, 38%; mean follow-up 24 +/- 3 months), and between 1995 and 1996 TIPSS (group III: n = 86; Child class C, 60%; mean follow-up 17 +/- 1 months). Half of the patients between 1993 and 1995 underwent VBL and the other half had TIPSS. Data regarding rebleeding, mortality and encephalopathy were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox's proportional hazard regression was used to test the significance of prognostic factors.
Results: Seventy-five per cent of patients re-bled in group I, 40% in group II, and 16% in group III (P < 0.0001). Mortality was significantly lower in the patients with Child class C disease in group III patients compared with those in groups I and II (P < 0.02). TIPSS was associated independently with reduced early mortality and re-bleeding.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that TIPSS improves survival in patients with advanced liver disease and variceal haemorrhage, and should be considered for secondary prophylaxis in high-risk patients.