Purpose: To assess whether balloon occlusion of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) will allow permanent yet reversible shunt thrombosis.
Materials and methods: A balloon catheter was inflated in the midportion of the TIPS in two women with severe, uncontrollable encephalopathy or liver failure (aged 42 and 65 years, respectively) to allow occlusive thrombus to develop below the balloon.
Results: Balloon occlusion led to rapid TIPS thrombosis, which was readily reversible.
Conclusion: Balloon thrombosis is a simple technique for complete occlusion of a TIPS. This technique may also be useful for occlusion of surgical mesocaval H-graft shunts or dialysis access shunts.