Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding.

Management of esophageal variceal bleeding continues to be a difficult problem for the practicing physician. TIPS is an interventional radiologic procedure that involves creating a channel within the liver between the portal vein and the systemic circulation using an expandable metallic stent. Ten patients underwent TIPS at St Francis Medical Center and the technical success rate was 100%. Complications have been minimal. One patient has died from progressive hepatic failure and carcinoma, and 1 patient underwent liver transplantation. The remaining 8 patients have a patent TIPS in place and have not rebled.