Understanding the Role of MELD Score Range and Mortality in TIPS Treatment

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat complications of portal hypertension, including variceal hemorrhage, refractory ascites, and hepatic hydrothorax. The MELD score range has been widely used to predict mortality in patients with cirrhosis, but its effectiveness in predicting mortality after TIPS placement remains unclear.

A recent study compared the performance of MELD and MELD-Na (MELD-sodium) scores in predicting mortality after TIPS. The results showed that while MELD-Na was a superior prognostic tool for overall mortality in cirrhotic patients, MELD tended to outperform MELD-Na in predicting mortality after TIPS.

The study found that 24 patients with high MELD-Na scores (≥17) but low MELD scores (<15) had an 8.3% 90-day mortality rate, highlighting the importance of considering both scores when evaluating patient risk. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that MELD was superior to MELD-Na in predicting 30-day mortality.

Overall, the study found that mortality after TIPS placement was 15% at 30 days and 16.7% at 90 days. The mean pre-TIPS MELD score was 13, while the mean pre-TIPS MELD-Na score was 15.

The primary outcome of this analysis was mortality, and secondary outcomes sought to identify variables that could provide prognostic information for mortality after TIPS placement. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent TIPS placement between 20 at our institution identified 186 eligible patients.

While there are limited studies comparing the performance of MELD and MELD-Na in predicting mortality after TIPS, this study highlights the importance of considering both scores when evaluating patient risk. The MELD score has been widely used to predict survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), but its effectiveness in predicting mortality after TIPS placement is unclear.

In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MELD and MELD-Na scores have different strengths and weaknesses when predicting mortality after TIPS. The results highlight the need for further research to better understand the role of these scores in TIPS treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Meld score range mortality