Abstract
The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a percutaneous, minimally invasive method of reducing an increased portal pressure in patients with symptomatic portal hypertension. TIPS is done under local anesthesia on awake, mildly sedated patients and can be performed in emergency settings, in patiens at both extremes of age, and in those with poor liver function and massive ascites who often are not considered candidates for shunt surgery.