TIPS stent migration causing sinus of Valsalva rupture

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Oct 10;16(10):e256103. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256103.

Abstract

A man in his 40s presented with haematemesis and melaena and was found to have a massive variceal bleed. Endoscopic procedures were ineffective at controlling the bleed; thus, an emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure was performed. There were no noted complications from the procedure and the patient was eventually discharged home. A month later, a murmur was auscultated on routine physical examination. This prompted an outpatient transthoracic echocardiogram which revealed a TIPS stent in the inferior vena cava (IVC) extending into the right atrium along with a ruptured sinus of Valsalva with left to right shunt.The patient declined surgical intervention. He is currently being followed in the outpatient setting with serial echocardiograms and medical management.

Keywords: Cardiovascular medicine; GI-stents; Interventional radiology; Ultrasonography; Varices.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices* / complications
  • Foreign-Body Migration
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic* / adverse effects
  • Sinus of Valsalva* / diagnostic imaging
  • Sinus of Valsalva* / surgery
  • Stents / adverse effects
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / surgery