Changes and influencing factors of liver volume after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Liver volume is an important measure of liver reserve and helps to determine the course of liver disease. This study aimed to observe the dynamic changes of liver volume after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and analyze the related factors. METHODS: Clinical data of 168 patients who underwent TIPS procedures between February 2016 and December 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The changes in liver volume after TIPS in the patients were observed, and the independent predictors affecting increases in liver volume were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: The mean liver volume was decreased by 12.9% at 2±1 months post TIPS and rebounded at 9±3 months post TIPS, but did not recover to its pre-TIPS level completely. Most patients (78.6%) had decreased liver volume at 2±1 months post TIPS, and in multivariable logistic regression, a lower albumin (ALB) level, a lower subcutaneous fat area at L3 (L3-SFA), and a higher degree of ascites were identified as independent factors predicting increased liver volume. The risk score model for predicting increased liver volume was Logit(P)=1.683-0.078 (ALB) -0.01 (pre TIPS L3-SFA) +0.996 (grade 3 ascites =1; non-grade 3 ascites =0). The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.729, and the cut-off value was 0.375. The rate of liver volume change at 2±1 months post TIPS was significantly correlated with that of spleen volume change (R(2)=0.378, P<0.001). The rate of subcutaneous fat change at 9±3 months post TIPS was significantly correlated with that of liver volume change (R(2)=0.782, P<0.001). In patients with a liver volume increase, the mean computed tomography value (Hounsfield units) decreased significantly after TIPS placement (65.9±17.7 vs. 57.8±18.2, P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Liver volume was decreased at 2±1 months post TIPS and slightly increased at 9±3 months post TIPS; however, it did not recover to its pre-TIPS level completely. A lower ALB level, a lower L3-SFA, and a higher degree of ascites were all predictors for increased liver volume post TIPS.