Enhancing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt puncture by using three-dimensional path planning based on the back projection of two two-dimensional portographs.

The purpose of this study was to prevent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) puncture failure by using three-dimensional (3D) path planning. This study was approved by the institutional review board; informed consent was obtained for the TIPS procedure. In four patients, a 3D path was planned from two two-dimensional (2D) CO2 portograms obtained at projections of 0 degrees and right anterior oblique 30 degrees . This path was overlaid onto the live fluoroscopy to guide the puncture image. In three of four patients, the target vessel was entered in the first attempt. In one patient with portal vein (PV) stenosis, the PV was entered with the third pass. This method has high potential to improve safety of the procedure and to reduce intervention time.