In Reply to: Re: Case 0599_02 -- Budd-Chiari Syndrome Presenting with Right Hydrothorax: Treatment with TIPS posted by Moni Stein on May 07, 1999 at 10:22:15:
I have placed covered Wallstents in three TIPS in the exact same scenario. All of those were on patients with cirrhosis and either ascites or bleeding. All had either early reocclusion x 2, or repeated reoclussion at 3 month intervals (non compliant patient who had bleeding oiginally), picked up on surveillance sonography.
Both Wallstents and Z-stents work well in this setting. I have stayed with Wallstnets because I can get them in through the standad TIPS sheath.
Why do you think "hoop strength " is an important factor? The TIPS is in place, and all you need to do is seal a leak. Covered Wallstents seem to do this quite well in the arterial system, why would the biliary tree be any different?