Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a recently developed radiologic technique that is useful in the treatment of complications of portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, and ascites. A TIPS is an accepted interventional procedure indicated for the select group of patients who either have variceal bleeding that does not respond to sclerotherapy, variceal banding, pharmacologic means, or who have intractable ascites. In this article, the procedure, along with the pre- and post-procedural nursing care, is described.