Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

Background

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), introduced in the 1980s, is a procedure that is performed with imaging to connect the portal vein to the hepatic vein through the liver. Sequelae of advanced liver disease and cirrhosis include portal hypertension, which is defined by increased pressure in the portal circulation due to high resistance to blood flow through the cirrhotic liver; a TIPS will decrease this pressure gradient between the portal and hepatic veins.