What is transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt?

During the TIPS procedure, a radiologist makes a tunnel through the liver with a needle, connecting the portal vein to one of the hepatic veins. A metal stent is placed in this tunnel to keep the tunnel open. Complication: Shunt narrowing or occlusion (blockage) Follow-up ultrasound examinations The signs of occlusion include increased ascites or recurrent bleeding. This condition can be treated by a radiologist who re-expands the shunt with a balloon or repeats the procedure to place a new stent. Encephalopathy, can be worse when blood flow to the liver is reduced by TIPS, which may result in toxic substances reaching the brain without being metabolized first by the liver