Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is a percutaneous radiologic-guided procedure that aims to reduce portal hypertension by creating a shunt between the portal venous system and the hepatic venous system. The most common cause of portal hypertension is liver cirrhosis in Western countries. Two main indications of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt are validated by randomised controlled studies in patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding (salvage transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or rebleeding despite an optimal secondary prophylaxis) or refractory ascites. Careful selection of the patients is crucial in order to prevent posttransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt complications, including liver failure, posttransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt encephalopathy occurrence and cardiac decompensation, for a better long-term outcome. In this review, we will discuss transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt indications in 2020 in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, with a special focus on variceal bleeding and refractory ascites. Then, we will describe transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt-related complications, the contraindications and the current knowledge on patient's selection.
Keywords: portal hypertension; posttransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt encephalopathy; pre-emptive TIPS; refractory ascites; transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; variceal bleeding.
© 2020 The Authors. United European Gastroenterology Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of United European Gastroenterology.