How To Prevent And Treat Portal Hypertension

Radiology Procedures

Two radiology procedures can be attempted if portal hypertension is diagnosed. The first is transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), and involves placing a shunt into the middle of the liver. There is a tunnel made through the liver connecting the portal vein to the hepatic veins using the shunts to keep it open. This means all the blood that normally goes through the entire liver now only goes through part of the liver, because the rest may be damaged. The result of this can be that there is a buildup of toxins, which can affect the brain. Usually, medicines are used in conjunction with this procedure to help the body get rid of the excess toxins. If the medicines are not used after the TIPS procedure, toxins can build up, especially in the brain. These toxins can cause confusion, hepatic encephalopathy, and even death.

Another radiological procedure that can be done is called distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS). During this process, the spleen’s vein is connected to the left kidney. This procedure reroutes the splenic vein without taking blood away from the liver. The purpose is to reduce the pressure of the varies in the stomach and esophagus, thus reducing the bleeding. These procedures do not require open surgery, and are done using interventional radiologists. Image guidance is used to complete the procedure. After they are performed, the patient can generally go home the next day.

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