Uncovered Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for Refractory Ascites: A Meta-Analysis

Log-OR for mortality in the 5 trials included in the meta-analysis, according to the 2 variables significant at multivariate metaregression analysis, together with the summary random-effects metaregression line. Each trial is represented by an open circle and may be identified by the corresponding value of each variable as reported in . The area of each circle is proportional to the variance of each log-OR estimate.

OR for mortality in the 5 trials included in the meta-analysis, according to 6 relevant variables. Each trial is represented by an open circle and may be identified by the corresponding value of each variable as reported in . The area of each circle is proportional to the variance of each OR estimate. The horizontal dashed line is the equivalence line, for which the OR is equal to 1. The trial with the highest OR always had the extreme value for each variable.

OR (random-effects model), log scale for recurrence of ascites (top), encephalopathy (middle), and mortality (bottom) by including and excluding 1 outlier trial.¹⁰ Trials are identified by the first author and the year of publication. Open squares indicate the OR per each trial and the size of the squares is proportional to the weight of trials. The horizontal bars denote the 95% CIs of the ORs. The vertical solid line is the equivalence line, for which the OR is equal to 1. ORs on the left of the equivalence line denote benefit with TIPS whereas those on the right denote harm with TIPS. The vertical dashed line indicates the POR by excluding the outlier trial.

Egger’s publication bias plot. The standardized risk difference (TIPS − paracentesis) for mortality is plotted against the precision of the risk difference along with the regression line and the confidence interval (arrows) about the intercept. Failure of this confidence interval to include 0 would indicate asymmetry in the funnel plot and might give evidence of publication bias. Standardized risk difference, risk difference/standard error; precision of risk difference, 1/standard error.