What is TIPS procedure?
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure to create new connections between two blood vessels in your liver. You may need this procedure if you have severe liver problems.
This is not a surgical procedure. It is done by an interventional radiologist using x-ray guidance. A radiologist is a doctor who uses imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases. You will be asked to lie on your back. You will be connected to monitors that will check your heart rate and blood pressure.You will probably receive local anesthesia and medicine to relax you. This will make you pain-free and sleepy. Or, you may have general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free).
During the procedure:
- The doctor inserts a catheter (a flexible tube) through your skin into a vein in your neck. This vein is called the jugular vein. On the end of the catheter is a tiny balloon and a metal mesh stent (tube).
- Using an x-ray machine, the doctor guides the catheter into a vein in your liver.
- Dye (contrast material) is then injected into the vein so that it can be seen more clearly.
- The balloon is inflated to place the stent. You may feel a little pain when this happens.
- The doctor uses the stent to connect your portal vein to one of your hepatic veins.
- At the end of the procedure, your portal vein pressure is measured to make sure it has gone down.
- The catheter with the balloon is then removed.
- After the procedure, a small bandage is placed over the neck area. There are usually no stitches.
- The procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
Why the Procedure Is Performed?
Normally, blood coming from your esophagus, stomach, and intestines first flows through the liver. When your liver has a lot of damage and there are blockages, blood cannot flow through it very easily. This is called portal hypertension (increased pressure and backup of the portal vein). The veins can then break open (rupture), causing serious bleeding.
Common causes of portal hypertension are:
- Alcohol use causing scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
- Blood clots in a vein that flows from the liver to the heart
- Too much iron in the liver (hemochromatosis)
- Hepatitis B or hepatitis C
When portal hypertension occurs, you may have: - Bleeding from veins of the stomach, esophagus, or intestines (variceal bleeding)
- Buildup of fluid in the belly (ascites)
- Buildup of fluid in the chest (hydrothorax)
This procedure allows blood to flow better in your liver, stomach, esophagus, and intestines and then back to your heart.
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