A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a medical procedure. During TIPS, a covered metal tube called a stent-graft is used to connect two blood vessels in your liver: the portal vein and the hepatic vein.
TIPS is most often performed for people who have scar tissue in their liver, often caused by cirrhosis. This scar tissue blocks the normal flow of blood through the liver from the portal vein to the hepatic vein creating a condition called portal hypertension. TIPS creates a new pathway for blood to flow freely, reducing this dangerous pressure. Like other interventional radiology procedures at IRCC Pakistan such as Varicocele Embolization and Prostate Artery Embolization TIPS is performed by a specialist interventional radiologist using advanced imaging guidance, without the need for open surgery.
You have a problem with your liver that has caused portal hypertension. This condition causes extra pressure in the group of veins that drain blood from your stomach, esophagus, spleen, and bowel.
Portal hypertension causes 2 main problems: variceal bleeding and ascites.
High pressure in the veins in the liver can cause the blood flow in the portal veins to back up. The blood must then drain through new pathways called varices (enlarged veins). When too much blood fills the veins, they weaken, and possibly break. This can cause bleeding.
Ascites is a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Blood then leaks into the abdomen and causes ascites.Patients experiencing vascular complications may also benefit from our Peripheral Vascular Disease and Vascular Malformation Treatment services at IRCC Pakistan.
The stent-graft used in a TIPS procedure creates a new path between the portal vein and hepatic veins. This new path helps keep blood from building up in the liver. This should help with the major problems. But, it does not make your liver work better than it already does.
The only long-term cure for portal hypertension is to have a liver transplant. If your doctor has told you that a liver transplant could help you, you can have TIPS done and still get a transplant later.
For patients with liver tumors or cancer-related complications, our Interventional Oncology team provides comprehensive minimally invasive care alongside TIPS treatment.
TIPS is done by an interventional radiologist, a doctor who specializes in procedures that are guided by X-rays or other imaging.
Ascites: There is about a 65% chance that your belly fluid will go away or lessen within about 1 month (65 out of 100 patients have this result).
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TIPS stands for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt. It is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat complications of portal hypertension primarily variceal bleeding and ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis or significant liver scarring.
No. The procedure is performed under conscious sedation and local anesthesia. Most patients feel little to no pain during the procedure. Mild discomfort in the neck or abdomen may be experienced for a few days afterward, which resolves on its own.
The TIPS procedure typically takes 2 to 3 hours, though it may take longer depending on the complexity of the patient's anatomy and condition.
TIPS is highly effective 80 to 90% of patients do not experience any further variceal bleeding after the procedure. It is considered one of the most reliable interventional options for managing this life-threatening complication.
Approximately 65% of patients see their abdominal fluid (ascites) reduce significantly or resolve completely within about 1 month following the TIPS procedure.
No. TIPS manages the complications of portal hypertension but does not restore or improve liver function itself. The only long-term cure for portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis is a liver transplant. TIPS can be used as a bridging procedure while awaiting transplant.
Yes. TIPS does not prevent you from receiving a liver transplant in the future. In fact, TIPS is often performed specifically as a bridge to liver transplant helping manage dangerous complications while the patient awaits a suitable donor.
Possible risks include hepatic encephalopathy (confusion caused by toxins not being filtered by the liver), stent narrowing over time, infection, or bleeding at the catheter entry site. Your IRCC interventional radiologist will discuss all risks in detail before the procedure.
Improvement in variceal bleeding risk is seen almost immediately after the procedure. For ascites, most patients notice significant improvement within 2–4 weeks. Regular follow-up with Doppler ultrasound imaging is required to monitor shunt function.
Yes. IRCC Pakistan offers the TIPS procedure performed by expert interventional radiologists using advanced imaging guidance. Book an appointment today to discuss whether TIPS is the right treatment option for you.
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