Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) is a medical procedure used to relieve pressure in the liver's blood vessels, typically due to conditions like cirrhosis. It involves creating a new pathway for blood flow between the portal vein (which carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver) and the hepatic vein (which drains blood from the liver). This helps reduce complications like variceal bleeding and fluid buildup in the abdomen. The procedure is performed by interventional radiologists using imaging guidance through a vein in the neck, making it less invasive than traditional surgery.