Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
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![Steps in a TIPS procedure: A) portal hypertension has caused the coronary vein (arrow) and the umbilical vein (arrowhead) to dilate and flow in reverse. This leads to varices in the esophagus and stomach, which can bleed; B) a needle has been introduced (via the jugular vein) and is passing from the hepatic vein into the portal vein; c) the tract is dilated with a balloon; D) after placement of a stent, portal pressure is normalized and the coronary and umbilical veins no longer fill.](/Images/godic/202502/17/Tips_schematic0638.JPG")
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunting (commonly abbreviated as TIPS or TIPSS) is an artificial channel within the liver that establishes communication between the inflow portal vein and the outflow hepatic vein. It is used to treat portal hypertension (which is often due to liver cirrhosis) which frequently leads to intestinal bleeding, life-threatening esophageal bleeding (esophageal varices) and the buildup of fluid within the abdomen (ascites).