Arterialization of the portal vein for control of variceal bleeding. Clinical and angiographic follow-up.

Angiographic and clinical findings in 33 patients who underwent arterialization of the portal vein and end-to-side portacaval shunt over a seven-year period are reviewed. Both encephalopathy and postoperative bleeding were less frequent than in previous series. Major angiographic findings included stenosis or closure of the gastroepiploic artery-portal vein shunt, narrowing of the intrahepatic portal vein, aneurysm formation in the saphenous vein graft, shunt narrowing or thrombosis, and development of portosystemic collaterals. The authors conclude that as long as the shunt remains patent, a more physiological state is maintained.