Characteristics of the two groups at baseline
| Characteristic | TIPSS (n = 39) | TIPSS+VBL (n = 40) |
|---|---|---|
| Values are mean (SD) unless stated otherwise. | ||
| TIPSS, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt; VBL, variceal band ligation; PPG, portal pressure gradient. | ||
| *p = 0.040; **p<0.001. | ||
| Age (y) (range) | 53.9 (11.2) (32–74) | 55.9 (11.4) (30–82) |
| Male sex (n (%)) | 30 (77%) | 22 (55%)* |
| Child-Pugh score (at baseline) | 9.2 (2.1) | 8.7 (2.3) |
| Aetiology (n (%)) | ||
| Alcoholic | 28 (72%) | 35 (88%) |
| Abstained from alcohol | 8 (29%) | 10 (29%) |
| Non-alcoholic | 11 (25%) | 5 (13%) |
| PPG (mm Hg) | ||
| Pre-TIPSS | 25.2 (6.6) | 20.1 (6.1)** |
| Post-TIPSS | 7.2 (4.0) | 6.6 (4.4) |
| Requirement for mechanical ventilation (n (%)) | 5 (13%) | 6 (15%) |
| Time from index bleed to randomisation (days) | 8.1 (6.8) | 6.3 (5.5) |
| Time from TIPSS insertion to randomisation (days) | 3.3 (2.9) | 2.9 (3.3) |
| Blood transfusion at randomisation (units) | 3.5 (4.2) | 2.7 (2.6) |
| Hypotensive at randomisation (n (%)) | 6 (15%) | 4 (10%) |