Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41094298›Full record

ArticleCVIR endovascular2025

Splenic artery embolization for refractory ascites after liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

Makoto Taninokuchi Tomassoni, Luciana Ingraldi, Paolo Pianta, Alberta Cappelli, Lorenzo Braccischi, Francesco Porta, Antonio De Cinque, Francesco Modestino, Matteo Ravaioli, Matteo Serenari and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in CVIR endovascular, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Makoto Taninokuchi TomassoniDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Luciana IngraldiDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. luciana.ingraldi@studio.unibo.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-0920-8624
Paolo PiantaInternal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Alberta CappelliDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Lorenzo BraccischiDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Francesco PortaDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Antonio De CinqueDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Francesco ModestinoDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Matteo RavaioliDepartment of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Matteo SerenariDepartment of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Federica Mirici CappaInternal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Maria Cristina MorelliInternal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Matteo CesconHepatobiliary Surgery and Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Sant'Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Cristina MosconiDepartment of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeRefractory ascites (RA) is a rare but poorly understood complication following liver transplantation (LT). It is often associated with portal hyperperfusion, potentially driven by splenic hyperafflux. In such cases, splenic artery embolization (SAE) has been proposed as a minimally invasive and cost-effective therapeutic option to reduce splanchnic inflow and alleviate symptoms. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent LT between August 2010 and September 2023 at IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna and were subsequently diagnosed with refractory ascites. Embolization of the splenic artery was performed using coils or plugs of variable caliber. Laboratory assessments included bilirubin, albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and international normalized ratio (INR). Additionally, Child-Pugh and MELD scores were recorded. The severity and evolution of ascites were monitored through serial ultrasonographic follow-ups.

resultsA total of 12 patients met the inclusion criteria. No severe complications related to the procedure were observed. Among them, 9 patients (75%) experienced complete resolution of ascites and normalization of liver function within 9 months post-procedure. Three patients (25%) died during follow-up due to transplant-related complications unrelated to SAE in the first month after the procedure.

conclusionSAE is an effective treatment option for patients with refractory ascites following LT. The procedure resulted in significant improvement in ascites control and liver function in most patients. Good patient selection is essential for a good procedure outcome. Further research with larger patient cohorts and longer follow-up is needed to validate these results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Indexed as

AscitesEmbolizationLiverSpleenTransplant

Identifiers

PMID41094298
PMCPMC12528511

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