Pulsed Wave and Color Doppler US Findings of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts (TIPS)

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective and relatively safe and widely accepted treatment for complications arising from portal hypertension. Shunt or hepatic vein stenosis and shunt occlusion are common short- and medium-term complications arising from the procedure, though if detected early, these conditions may be treated before the recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding or ascites. Doppler US is a relatively inexpensive, accurate, and noninvasive method for the evaluation of shunt status.