Optimizing Portal Hypertension With TIPS and Interval Metabolic Surgery for Advanced Liver Disease

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are now among the leading global causes of cirrhosis. Up to one-third of individuals with cirrhosis also have class II or III obesity, which exacerbates portal hypertension, accelerates liver disease progression, and can limit eligibility for liver transplantation. Metabolic (bariatric) surgery is an established treatment that induces sustained weight loss and improves metabolic and hepatic outcomes. However, the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) increases the risks of surgery, including intraoperative bleeding and postoperative hepatic decompensation. Small retrospective studies suggest that placing a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) before surgery may reduce these risks by decompressing the portal venous system. To date, no prospective randomized trial has evaluated this approach.

The OPTIMAL Trial (Optimizing Portal Hypertension with TIPS and Interval Metabolic Surgery for Advanced Liver Disease) is a single-center, prospective randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether a staged strategy using TIPS followed by sleeve gastrectomy improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL), weight loss, and safety in patients with cirrhosis, severe obesity, and CSPH compared to medical management alone.

The trial will enroll 70 adults aged 18 to 70 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 70 kg/m², biopsy-proven or elastography-confirmed cirrhosis, and objective evidence of CSPH. Inclusion criteria include Child-Pugh class A or B liver function, MELD 3.0 score <=15, and platelet count >= 50,000 /µL. Key exclusion criteria include decompensated cirrhosis, defined as moderate-to-large volume ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or patients undergoing liver transplant evaluation. Patients with a history of variceal hemorrhage or small-volume ascites may still be eligible. Other exclusions include MELD 3.0 > 15, portal vein thrombosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, prior metabolic surgery, pregnancy, active substance use, untreated psychiatric illness, and severe cardiopulmonary disease that would preclude surgery or anesthesia.

After informed consent, participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two arms. The intervention group will undergo TIPS placement, aiming for at least a 50 percent reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) or a final HVPG less than 12 mmHg, followed by sleeve gastrectomy approximately 4 to 6 weeks later. The control group will receive structured lifestyle counseling and, when clinically indicated, FDA-approved pharmacologic therapies for weight management and diabetes.

Follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months will assess weight, vital signs, adverse events, and MELD 3.0 laboratory values. Liver Doppler ultrasound will be performed in the intervention group to assess TIPS patency per standard of care. Both groups will complete the SF-36 survey to evaluate health-related quality of life. The primary outcome is the change in SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) score from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes include percentage of total body weight loss, incidence of serious liver-related complications such as hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, and acute-on-chronic liver failure, as well as changes in SF-36 scores at 1 and 3 months. Exploratory outcomes include changes in MELD 3.0 parameters (bilirubin, albumin, INR, sodium, and creatinine); proportion of participants achieving 5% to 25% weight loss; changes in BMI, waist circumference, and body composition; changes in glucose and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes; proportion meeting HbA1c targets (<6.5% without medications, <7% overall); and changes in cardiovascular and diabetes medication use.

Following randomization, all patients who receive TIPS or start nonsurgical management will be analyzed based on the intention-to-treat plan. Furthermore, patients who undergo TIPS placement but not sleeve gastrectomy for any reason, such as the development of de novo portal vein thrombosis, development of de novo acute renal failure, or persistent esophageal varices, will not be included in the per-protocol (on treatment) analysis.

This trial will generate the first prospective data evaluating whether a combined approach of portal pressure reduction and metabolic surgery can safely and effectively improve quality of life, metabolic control, and liver-related outcomes in patients with cirrhosis, severe obesity, and CSPH.

Inclusion criteria

• Candidate for general anesthesia.
• Age 18-70 years at consent.
• BMI 35-70 kg/m² at first study visit.
• Eligible for sleeve gastrectomy per ASMBS/IFSO 2022 guidelines.
• Insurance coverage for metabolic surgery.
• Current or prior anti-obesity medication use permitted.
• Liver cirrhosis confirmed by biopsy or non-invasive assessment.
• Clinically significant portal hypertension (HVPG ≥ 10 mm Hg, or esophagogastric varices / portal-hypertensive gastropathy, or imaging evidence of collaterals/dilated portal vein).
• Able and willing to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures.
• Women of child-bearing potential: negative urine pregnancy test at screening and randomization and agreement to reliable contraception for 2 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Prior bariatric/metabolic surgery (except removed devices ≥ 3 months earlier).
• Prior complex foregut surgery.
• History of solid-organ transplant.
• Severe pulmonary disease (FEV1 < 50 % predicted).
• Significant cardiac or atherosclerotic disease with planned re-vascularization within 12 months.
• ASA class IV or V uncompensated cardiopulmonary disease.
• Left-ventricular ejection fraction < 25 % or MI/unstable angina/stroke/heart surgery/coronary stent within 6 months.
• Hiatal hernia > 7 cm or LA grade C/D erosive esophagitis.
• Active Crohn's disease.
• Severe psychiatric illness, dementia, active psychosis, history of suicide attempt, or alcohol/substance abuse within 12 months.
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, planning pregnancy, or not using adequate contraception.
• Malignancy within the prior 12 months (except non-melanoma skin cancer).
• Life expectancy < 2 years in investigator's judgment.
• Investigational therapy within 3 months.
• Acute pancreatitis ≤ 90 days.
• Portal vein thrombosis at screening.
• Decompensated cirrhosis (moderate/large ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or listed for liver transplant); small ascites or prior variceal bleed allowed.
• Total bilirubin > 3 mg/dL, INR > 1.7, or platelets < 50 000/µL (within 1 month).
• Significant alcohol intake (> 14 units/week women, > 21 units/week men) within the prior 12 months.
• eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m² or on dialysis (within 1 month).
• AIDS.
• Unable to understand study or give consent.
• Plans to move more than 3 hours from Cleveland within 6 months.
• Previous randomization in this trial.
• Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, places the subject at undue risk.