Patient with Liver Failure Presenting for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt
This chapter presents a case study of a 66-year-old man with a history of hepatitis C and cirrhosis complicated by intractable ascites who presents for an elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. TIPS remains an important tool for the management of the complications of portal hypertension. Technical advances and clinical studies provide the evidence to define the best indications for the procedure. Patients who were successfully treated by TIPS still need regular follow up with a hepatologist. These patients remain at risk for development of other complications of cirrhosis such as hepatocellular carcinoma. This chapter discusses these issues and other concepts related to anesthetics for a liver transplant patient presenting for TIPS.