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At the time of the procedure, the risks include:
- A reaction to the anesthesia
- Bleeding into the abdomen
- Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
Because people with severe liver disease are also at risk for encephalopathy (deterioration of brain function), this is another common complication after the TIPS has been inserted and it may require treatment. A patient who has had significant encephalopathy may not be a good candidate for TIPS.
Blockage of the TIPS occurs in most patients within the first year of placement of the TIPS. This may lead to recurrent bleeding or reaccumulation of fluid. If this occurs, the TIPS can be expanded, or a new TIPS may be created.
Death has been reported after TIPS placement. The risk is associated with the complications listed above at the time of the procedure. In addition, deaths have been reported due to worsening liver failure that occurs in the days and weeks after TIPS placement. Patients with more advanced liver disease are at greater risk for worsening liver failure after TIPS placement.
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