AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Mar 2015
TIPS for refractory ascites: a 6-year single-center experience with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-grafts.
OBJECTIVE. This single-center study evaluated the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stent-grafts for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement to manage portal hypertension-related refractory ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS. ⋯ CONCLUSION. TIPS placement using an ePTFE-covered stent-graft is an efficacious therapy for refractory ascites. Patients with preserved liver function-characterized by a MELD score of less than 15 or a MELD score of less than 18 and an albumin value of 3 mg/dL or greater-experience the greatest survival benefit.
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OBJECTIVE. Falls are a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. We evaluated trends in CT utilization for adult fall patients in the United States from 2001 to 2010. ⋯ There was a 2.5-fold increase in CT utilization among adult fall patient visits from 2001 to 2010. When demographic and clinical variables were controlled for, increasing year was independently associated with CT utilization. These findings suggest that CT may be overutilized among adult fall patients.