Loading...
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is routinely used for the management of refractory ascites and recurrent variceal hemorrhage. Advantages of the TIPS include its less-invasive nature compared with a surgical shunt and lower shunt dysfunction (with the advent of covered stents). However, a major drawback of TIPS is risk for development of portosystemic encephalopathy (PSE), which appears to be partially related to the degree of portal shunting and TIPS diameter.
In a prospective, nonrandomized study, researchers compared clinical outcomes between 42 patients who received a TIPS that was underdilated to 6 to 7 mm and 53 patients who received a TIPS dilated to ≥8 mm. The mean follow-up was 326 days.
The 1-year proba…