Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

Ryusaku Yamada

Department of Radiology, Wakayama Medical College

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a new interventional treatment for portal hypertension in which a portosystemic shunt is made by means of a percutaneous catheterization technique. We have tried the procedure in 23 patients with portal hypertension and esophago-gastric varices due to severe liver cirrhosis, and had success in 20 of them. The portal pressure decreased from 29.2±8.6 mmHg (n=20) to 20.1±8.0 mmHg (n=20) immediately after TIPS and to 14.8±5.2 mmHg (n=17) 2 weeks later. Endoscopic findings of esophageal varices were also much improved, and ascites decreased markedly in volume after TIPS. We encountered mild and transient encephalopathy in 5 patients. however, all of whom were well controlled by medical treatment. Therefore, it is considered that the procedure can be an effective means of treatment for portal hypertension and gastroesophageal varices.

Key words
Transjugrar intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, portal hypertension, esophageal varices

Reprint requests
Ryusaku Yamada Department of Radiology, Wakayama Medical Collge
27 Shichibancho, Wakayama, 640 JAPAN

Accepted
November 1, 1993

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