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