Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

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This procedure allows your blood to flow better in your liver, stomach, esophagus, and intestines, and then back to your heart.

Your doctor may ask you to have these tests:

• Blood tests (complete blood count, electrolytes, and kidney tests)
• Chest x-ray or EKG

Always tell your doctor or nurse:

• If you are or could be pregnant
• Any drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription (your doctor may ask you to stop taking blood thinners like aspirin, heparin, or warfarin a few days before the procedure)

On the day of your surgery:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.
• Ask your doctor which medications you should still take on the day of surgery. Take these drugs with a small sip of water.
• Take a shower the night before or the morning of surgery.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
• You should plan to stay overnight at the hospital.

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After the procedure, you will recover in your hospital room. You will be monitored for bleeding. You will have to keep your head raised.

There is usually no pain after the procedure.

You will be able to go home when you feel better. This may be the day after surgery.

Many people get back to their everyday activities in 7 to 10 days.

Your doctor will probably do ultrasounds after surgery to make sure the stent is working correctly.

You will be asked to have a repeat ultrasound in a few weeks to make sure that the TIPS procedure is working.

Your radiologist can tell you right away how well the procedure worked. Most patients recover well.

TIPS works in about 80% - 90% of portal hypertension cases.

The procedure is much safer than surgery and does not involve any cutting or stitches.

Review Date: 09/10/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).