Evaluation of stent function after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using color Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound

At present, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective procedure widely used in the clinical treatment of portal hypertension.The blood stream in the portal vein can be directly shunted into the hepatic vein through the inserted stent, which helps to reduce portal vein pressure.TIPS provides treatment opportunities for the patients with advanced portal hypertension complicated by intractable ascites and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding and those who are waiting for transplantation or cannot tolerate surgery.The key to success of TIPS is to maintain stent patency after placement, and therefore, post-TIPS monitoring is of vital importance.As a noninvasive, cheap, practical, and repeatable procedure, ultrasound has an important value in post-TIPS monitoring.This article summarizes the role of color Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluating stent function after TIPS.