title: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt--role in treating intractable variceal bleeding, ascites, and hepatic hydrothorax.
abstract: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) patency can be improved by the use of covered stents. Although this technical advance may lower the costs associated with TIPS, the overall role of TIPS in the management of portal hypertension may not change. Currently, bare metal TIPS is indicated in the treatment of acute refractory variceal hemorrhage, in the secondary prevention of variceal hemorrhage, for the management of ascites refractory to both medical management and large-volume paracentesis, and in the control of hepatic hydrothorax refractory to medical management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of California-San Francisco, M-361 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Jeanne.laberge@radiology.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Jeanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: LaBerge
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000601:surgery; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000601:surgery*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000601:surgery; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic / Q000379:methods*; D015607:Stents