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Liver transplant: TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt)
Transplants | Last Active: Oct 11, 2022 | Replies (28)Comment receiving replies
@seho
I want to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect and to thank you for reaching out to this community with your question.
I am a transplant recipient (liver/kidney) and I had to look up TIPS ( transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) because I was unfamiliar with it from my own experience. As I was reading, I did learn that it is a procedure for diverting blood flow away from the portal vein. A shunt creates an opening between the portal vein and the hepatic vein, which carries blood from your liver to your heart to reduce pressure in the portal vein. It often stops bleeding from esophageal varices. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/esophageal-varices/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351544
As for myself, I did have esophageal varices, and they were closely monitored by my doctors prior to my transplant. I took medications to reduce the blood pressure and I needed to have elastic banding when I experienced some bleeding.
Your situation sounds positive because you have said you have been fine. While I wait with you to see if anyone has an experience to share about TIPS, I would like to ask if you were a candidate for a liver transplant before the TIPS? Do the doctors say whether you will be a liver transplant candidate in the future? What kind of follow-up is provided?
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Answer your question YES I had a liver transplant done 30 month ago for now NADODOL is the medicine doctor prescribe me to control the Portal HIPERTENCION But I was read a lot about the TIPS it is a bypass and direct the blood coming from your organ to the porta the question is that blood is passing the filter of the toxics which is the liver with that toxins going to your brain this can cause Encephalopathy AS as side efects it this is true???
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Thank you for your reply. I too have had my esophageal varicies banded. The TIPs reduced the portal pressure so that I no longer have bleeds. The TIPs also controlled the refractory ascites. I no longer take Xifaxin just Lactulose daily & vitamins. I see my hepatologist now only twice per year & have annual MRIs & lab work to monitor liver functions, sodium levels etc. My amonia levels are normal. I am not a candidate for transplant now because I’m too well. I’m just wondering how long the TIPs shunts can last? They can be revised & replaced if needed. Does anyone have a TIPs shunt & has not needed a transplant ?