[Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a new therapy for portal hypertension]

Thirty-five patients with portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis secondary to chronic viral hepatitis underwent transjuglar intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the last 3-year period. Shunts were successfully completed in 31 of 35 patients at 89%. Portal vein pressure was markedly reduced on average in the all cases until 6 months after TIPS. The endoscopic findings of varices much improved in 90% of the patients. Long-term patency rates of TIPS were 97% after 4 weeks, 79% after 6 months, 76% after a year and 55% after 2 years, respectively. The authors concluded that TIPS was an effective and reliable means of lowering portal pressure, improving endoscopic findings of varices and controlling of refractory ascites.