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In order to avoid dangerous complications of liver cirrhosis, a study led by the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is investigating when the right time is for a minimally invasive liver bypass procedure / 600,000 euros in DFG funding

Severe complications can occur with advanced liver cirrhosis. One of these is the accumulation of water in the abdominal cavity, known as ascites. By diverting a large proportion of the blood past the liver, this complication can be significantly reduced. A multicenter randomized study led by the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is now investigating how early this detour should be used in patients with abdominal fluid so that those affected can benefit as much as possible. The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the study at ten centers in Germany with around 640,000 euros.

"Liver cirrhosis with accompanying symptoms may require a transplant. With the minimally invasive procedure developed in Freiburg, we want to stabilize the situation of those affected so early that a liver transplant is not necessary," said study leader Prof. Dr. Dominik Bettinger, Scientific Director of the TIPS section in the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The procedure is called TIPS, which stands for 'Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt' and bypasses a large part of the blood via a bypass past the liver. While there are clearly defined times for TIPS for other complications of liver cirrhosis, these have not yet been defined for the accumulation of abdominal fluid.

TIPS - a medical invention from Freiburg

In the "eTIPS" study, 134 patients are to be treated and randomly divided into two groups (early TIPS placement vs. standard therapy). "This study has the potential to significantly change the treatment of liver cirrhosis and increase the quality of life and survival rate of those affected," Bettinger continues.

The TIPS procedure, which benefits many patients today, was developed over 30 years ago at the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, which is one of the leading clinics in Germany and Europe with an average of 100 TIPS facilities per year. An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 TIPS procedures are carried out in Germany every year.

Further information:

Info video on the TIPS procedure and patient selection