Rheolytic thrombectomy of an acutely thrombosed transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt.

As an alternative to chemical thrombolysis, an acutely occluded transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt in a 72-year-old woman was successfully recanalized using a 5 Fr rheolytic catheter system. No adjunctive thrombectomy treatment was necessary. The underlying stenotic leason was treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and a Palmaz stent. Immediately after the intervention optimal shunt flow was achieved. Ascites vanished within a few days and no further bleeding complications appeared.