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Digestive Disease Interventions 2022; 06(02): 148-154
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1742214
Review Article

Sarcopenia of Cirrhosis and the Therapeutic Potential of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation

Barry Schlansky
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
,
Khashayar Farsad 
2   Department of Interventional Radiology, Dotter Interventional Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Abstract

Sarcopenia is a major sequela of cirrhosis, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in body composition analysis using medical imaging have begun to identify changes in skeletal muscle and fat that are prognostic of the impact of sarcopenia on medical outcomes in cirrhosis and other pathologies. Recently, observational studies have shown a correlation between transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation and a reversal of the progressive muscle loss in cirrhosis. This reversal is also associated with improved clinical outcomes and survival. This review summarizes current understanding of cirrhotic sarcopenia, and discusses the implications of TIPS creation in reversing this process.

Keywords

TIPS - sarcopenia - cirrhosis - liver transplantation - skeletal muscle area - muscle


Publication History

Received: 17 November 2021

Accepted: 01 December 2021

Article published online:
10 January 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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