Transjugular intrahepatic portal‐systemic shunts (TIPS) – initial experience and clinical outcome

Abstract

Background: The clinical role of the transjugular intrahepatic portal‐systemic shunt (TIPS) has not been fully defined. Aims: To determine the technical results of TIPS and the clinical outcome of patients undergoing the procedure. Methods: Retrospective audit of the results of the first 31 procedures performed in Melbourne. Results: Thirty procedures were performed for variceal haemorrhage, one procedure was for ascites. The aetiology of the liver disease was cirrhosis due to alcohol in 20, cryptogenic in five, chronic viral infection in four, and autoimmune chronic active hepatitis in one. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia was present in one patient. Seventy‐seven per cent of procedures wer..