[Early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: When, how and in whom?]

Early TIPS is basically a new application of an old concept. This intervention used to be a useful rescue therapy when other interventions failed but has now become a primary intervention in patients with variceal bleeding and risk factors for poor prognosis. This technique has also been proven to control bleeding and has a definite survival advantage at 6 weeks and 1 year over standard therapy with vasoactive drugs and endoscopy, without increasing the rate of adverse events. In well-trained hands and with appropriate candidate selection, early TIPS is a safe, life-saving and evidenced-based procedure.