Use of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS) is a highly efficient method of controlling bleeding from esophageal or gastric varices in patients with portal hypertension. Early mortality is between 2% and 13%. Stenosis and occlusion of the stent are reported in 6-56% and 7-9%, respectively, within the first year. Stenoses occur more often in patients with good liver function. In 17-27% de novo encephalopathy is observed. The rate correlates with the extent of liver cirrhosis, which is the main factor that determines prognosis of the patients in the long run. All patients with liver cirrhosis classified as Child A were alive after 1 year, in contrast to only 51% of patients with Child C cirrhosis.