Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or
transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunting (commonly abbreviated as
TIPS or
TIPSS) is an artificial channel within the
liver that establishes communication between the inflow
portal vein and the outflow
hepatic vein. It is used to treat
portal hypertension (which is often due to
liver cirrhosis) which frequently leads to intestinal bleeding, life-threatening esophageal bleeding (
esophageal varices) and the buildup of fluid within the abdomen (
ascites).