CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES OF TRANSJUGULAR INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PORTAL-HYPERTENSION

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an exciting ne w method for treating complications of cirrhosis. Technical advances h ave allowed TIPS to be widely applied in the treatment of variceal ble eding. This article presents and discusses the results of recent exper iences in TIPS placement. TIPS can be successfully placed in almost al l patients. The complication rate of the procedure is low. TIPS is an effective means of controlling variceal bleeding and is especially use ful for controlling bleeding in patients awaiting liver transplantatio n. It may also have a role in the treatment of ascites and other condi tions related to portal hypertension. The most important issue facing TIPS is the long-term patency of the shunt. Potential solutions to the problem of long-term shunt patency are discussed.