How long can you live after a TIPS procedure?

According to an older randomized trial, 88% of people with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding who received TIPS survived for 2 years, and 61% survived for at least 5 years. A more recent analysis of TIPS procedures in one hospital found that 78.2% of patients survived longer than 90 days after the procedure.

What is a TIPS procedure for cirrhosis?

​TIPS—T-I-P-S—is a procedure that lowers pressure in the portal vein. That’s the vein that moves blood to your liver. The medical name for this procedure is transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. But most people just call it TIPS.

What TIPS procedure connect?

A TIPS procedure involves creating a pathway through the liver that connects the portal vein (the vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver) to a hepatic vein (one of three veins that carry blood from the liver to the heart).

Can a TIPS procedure be reversed?

We describe herein a simple and effective strategy of TIPS revision by creating an intraluminal stricture within a self-expanding covered stent, which is deployed in the portosystemic shunt to reduce the TIPS blood flow. This technique was successful in reversing a TIPS-induced hepatic encephalopathy in our patient.

Is a TIPS procedure painful?

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 the procedure.

How long does TIPS procedure take?

The blood will flow directly from your portal system into your vena cava (the large vein that drains blood from your body and empties into your heart). This will ease the portal hypertension. The procedure usually takes about 2 to 3 hours, but it can take longer.

Is TIPS a safe procedure?

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of complications of liver cirrhosis, such as refractory ascites, hepatic hydrothorax and refractory variceal bleeding.