A liver shunt, specifically a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), is a tube that connects the portal vein, which transports blood from the intestines to the liver, with the hepatic vein, which carries blood from the liver to the heart. This procedure is primarily used for patients with liver conditions where scar tissue obstructs blood flow from the portal vein to the hepatic vein, causing increased pressure in the portal vein known as portal hypertension. This pressure forces blood to bypass the liver through smaller veins in the abdomen, which can become enlarged and are called varices. Unfortunately, varices often develop in the stomach and lower esophagus and are prone to severe bleeding, which can be fatal. TIPS provides an artificial route for blood to flow from the intestines through the liver to the heart, thereby reducing pressure in the varices and preventing them from bursting. Unlike other types of shunts that require surgery, TIPS is a non-surgical procedure where the shunt is inserted through the neck by a radiologist using imaging guidance, and is positioned between the portal and hepatic veins within the liver.
