Author information

¹Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatopancreatology, and Digestive Oncology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.

²Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, CHU UCL Namur, Université Catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.

³Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinique St Luc, Bouge, Belgium.

⁴Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

⁵Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy.

⁶Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.

^#Contributed equally.

Abstract

In selected patients with cirrhosis and ascites, transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) placement improves control of ascites and may reduce mortality. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the use of TIPS for the treatment of ascites in patients with cirrhosis, from pathophysiology of ascites formation to hemodynamic consequences, patient selection, and technical issues of TIPS insertion. The combination of these factors is important to guide clinical decision making and identify the best strategy for each individual patient. There is still a need to identify the best timing for TIPS placement in the natural history of ascites (recurrent vs. refractory) as well as which type and level of renal dysfunction is acceptable when TIPS is proposed for the treatment of ascites in cirrhosis. Future studies are needed to define the optimal stent diameter according to patient characteristics and individual risk of shunt-related side-effects, particularly hepatic encephalopathy and insufficient cardiac response to hemodynamic consequences of TIPS insertion.