Indications
Portal hypertension: TIPS is typically performed on patients who have elevated pressure in the portal vein system, a condition known as portal hypertension. TIPS is especially beneficial in the following complications of portal hypertension:
- Variceal bleeding: Variceal bleeding can occur in veins that normally drain the gastrointestinal organs such as the stomach, esophagus, or intestines into the liver. TIPS is used when standard treatment fails to control acute variceal bleeding, to prevent recurrent episodes of variceal bleeding, or to treat variceal bleeding while awaiting a liver transplant.
- Portal gastropathy: Engorgement of the veins in the stomach wall can also cause severe bleeding.
- Severe ascites or hydrothorax: Accumulation of a serous fluid in the abdomen or in the chest.
Budd–Chiari syndrome: It is an extremely rare condition caused by a blockage of the hepatic veins that drain the liver. If there is a classic triad of abdominal pain, ascites, and liver enlargement, the syndrome is suspected.
Risks
The 2 major complications due to TIPS procedure:
Hepatic encephalopathy
This is a condition in which altered mental status is caused by toxic products from the intestines (ammonia). The liver normally removes this ammonia from the blood. TIPS allows toxin-containing blood with ammonia to bypass the liver when performed. This may have an effect on your brain, causing confusion or even a comma.
Heart failure
This is due to an increase in the amount of blood returning to your heart through TIPS. The heart may not be able to return blood to the body quickly, resulting in heart failure.
TIPS Care at Medicover
Medicover Hospitals have the best team of liver specialists. All the doctors are highly trained, knowledgeable and have extensive experience in their field. Our interventional radiologists and team with their expertise and skills, handle transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt surgeries with impeccable precision. Our surgeons are well-versed with and practice the most advanced techniques to help deliver the best clinical outcomes. The team is also well-equipped with advanced technology, high end equipment to achieve the best and most precise results. We provide the highest level of excellence and precision through quality diagnosis and treatment.