Table 2.

Absolute and relative contraindications for TIPS

Absolute	Relative
Primary prevention of variceal hemorrhage	Age >65 years
Hepatic encephalopathy (grade ≥2)*, recurrent or persistent	MELD score >15–18
Uncontrolled systemic infection or sepsis	Total bilirubin >3–4 mg/dL
Severe pulmonary hypertension (>45 mmHg)	Severe thrombocytopenia or coagulopathy
Congestive heart failure	Progressive renal failure
Severe tricuspid regurgitation	Anatomical problems (such as central tumor, polycystic liver disease)
Unrelieved biliary obstruction

TIPS, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; MELD, model for end-stage liver disease.

^*The grade of hepatic encephalopathy was according to the West Haven criteria.