TIPS Procedure?

I have been reading this site for over a week. Can someone please tell me that a TIPS procedure is and why it is done.

Thanks.

Prayers,

Here is a quick explanation. PG is right, you need to Google it to get all the info.

The liver is your body's filter. What you consume makes its way into your bloodstream via the stomach and intestines. This blood is delivered to the liver via a major blood vessel for filtering. Filtered blood comes out of the liver via a separtate major vessel then goes on to the heart for circulation. When the liver is damaged it is very difficult to get blood through it. This backs the blood up like a construction zone backs traffic up on the interstate. This backup is called Portal Hypertension.

Portal hypertension contributes to acities and varices. A TIPS procedure can relieve this pressure by essentially bypassing the liver. A shunt is placed inside the liver between the incoming blood vessel and the outgoing blood vessel. There are many complications associated with the TIPS procedure, but many find them worth the risk. In example, the blood is no longer filtered by the liver at all and can make encephalopathy worse.

Hope this helps.

Penny

Penny, Thanks for the nice reply and explanation. I still am trying to learn about the liver, problems which arise when caring for a husband with cirrhosis. Have learned much, but it really is over whelming somedays.

Accoarding to our primary doctor tosay he feels that my husband is during remarkably well at present.  My husband had had some blood work completed for a physical which we had to cancel last week, so I was able to obtain 2 parts of the MELD score. I am missing the clotting time. We had so much to discuss with the doctor so I did not really get to ask some of my questions  which I have after reading on this site. My husbands pants are tight so the doctor felt to see if he could feel fluid in his abdomen. Felt that it is just fat, but will watch him carefully. The doctor was surprised at how alert my husband was. His blodd pressure was low enough that he does not want to increase his duretics so to help with his leg edema. We see a podiatrist also who watches the edema and when his legs/feet get more swollen than he likes he wraps his legs for 4 days and then checks to see how the edema is. So today when we saw the podiatrist he was very pleased with the decrease in swelling so we are going to go back with the compression stockings. So it is put the stockings on each morning, take off at night and I wash his legs every 3 days. The primary doctor was very pleased with the condition of my husbands legs today also.

I still am concerned about what is down the road for us, but espcially for my husband. But after the good visit today, I am going to try to relax some and pray that his condition will stay stable.

Karen  

  

Karen,

 

I’m happy to hear you husband is doing well.  There are medications to reduce the portal hypertension as well as the ascites.  I personally feel that the TIPS procedure should be reserved as a last resort because it cannot be un-done. 

 

Has you husband had an ERCP?  This is the scope down the throat.  It can reveal the condition of the veins in his throat and stomach.  Portal hypertension causes the veins to dilate (like varicose veins) and potentially burst (google esophageal varices).  If caught early, they can be banded (Band ligation) or treated with (Sclerotherapy) to prevent a rupture.  If they do rupture, this is a life threatening situation requiring immediate care.  Don't go to the emergency room, call 911. 

 

Please review my latest topic titled “Greatest Tool in the Fight Against ESLD.”  I know your husband is resistant to transplant so this information will help in treating complications and prolonging his life.

 

Best of luck to you.  You and your family are in my prayers.

 

Sincerely,

 

Penny

Hep93,

My husband was recommended to a podiatrist by his dermatologist for the swelling in his legs. The first dermatologist wraped his legs for a month which controlled the swelling. We went in once a week for a check of the swelling. Had to change podiatrist due to change in health coverage. Even this time after having his legs wrapped for just 4 days it was amazing to dee how the swelling had decreased. Prior to being referred to the podiatrist we were really at a loss as how to decrease the sweling because the compression stockings and elevation of his legs as much as possible was not really making a difference anymore. I just try to remein him to keep his feet up as much as possible. He just does not like to elevate his feet because then he goes to sleep.

Karen