Short-term results of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) placement in cirrhotic patients

Background: In cirrhosis, portal hemodynamics changes significantly. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an interventional radiology technique that has shown a high success rate to decompress the portal circulation. As a non-surgical intervention, without requirement for anesthesia and very low procedure-related mortality, TIPS is applicable to severe cirrhotic patients, who are otherwise untreatable, for example, nonsurgical candidates. Material and methods: 15 cirrhotic patients with ascites were studied before and 4–5 days after TIPS placement. All of them underwent abdominal ultrasonograp…