TIPS

TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) is a minimally invasive procedure that creates a new pathway within the liver to connect the portal vein (which carries blood from the digestive organs) to a hepatic vein (which drains blood from the liver). This helps reduce high blood pressure in the portal vein (portal hypertension), often caused by liver disease. By lowering this pressure, TIPS can prevent or treat complications like variceal bleeding or fluid buildup (ascites). It’s performed via a vein in the neck, using imaging guidance, to improve blood flow and alleviate symptoms related to portal hypertension.