Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) in Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension is the increased blood pressure within the portal venous system, which can lead to serious complications like variceal bleeding, refractory ascites, and hepatic hydrothorax. TIPS reduces portal hypertension by diverting a portion of the portal blood flow directly into the systemic circulation, thereby decreasing the pressure in the portal venous system
The key indications include recurrent variceal bleeding that is unresponsive to endoscopic or pharmacological treatments, refractory ascites that does not respond to diuretics or repeated paracentesis, and hepatic hydrothorax resistant to medical therapy. Additionally, TIPS may be used in managing Budd-Chiari syndrome, where thrombosis of the hepatic veins leads to increased portal pressure.
