TIPS for Prevention of Recurrent Bleeding in Patients with Cirrhosis: Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

To compare the effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation with those of endoscopic treatment with or without propranolol administration (i.e, conventional treatment) on recurrent bleeding, encephalopathy, and mortality by using meta-analysis of 11 published randomized clinical trials.Data from 11 relevant studies were retrieved by means of computerized and manual search. The combinability of the studies was assessed in terms of clinical and statistical criteria. Data were extracted on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle, and treatment effects were measured as risk differences between TIPS creation and conventional treatment. Pooled estimates were comp…