Pushing the Boundaries of TIPS Indication and Patient Selection

Monday, April 13, 2026

1:15 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Coordinator(s)

George Behrens, MD

Interventional Radiology
VIR Chicago, United States
Wael Saad, MD

Senior Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
University of Utah, United States

This session explores innovative approaches to expand current indications of TIPS in the management of portal hypertension. The session will also cover proper patient selection, how to evaluate the high-risk subgroup, and will cover technical aspects to avoid complications. Participants will engage in discussions and case studies that illustrate different scenarios.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to recognize the evolving indications for TIPS in portal hypertension beyond the traditional use for variceal bleeding and ascites.
Upon completion, participants will be able to identify high-risk patient subgroups and understand how to evaluate them further to achieve better outcomes.
Upon completion, participants will be able to explore future directions and ongoing research focused on expanding TIPS indications and advancing patient care.

Presentations:

1:15 PM - 1:25 PM ET

Pushing the Boundaries of TIPS: Sarcopenia and Elderly
Speaker: George Behrens, MD – VIR Chicago
1:25 PM - 1:35 PM ET

Pushing the Boundaries: TIPS in Encephalopathy
Speaker: Wael Saad, MD – University of Utah
1:35 PM - 1:45 PM ET

Pushing the Boundaries of TIPS: Pre-surgical Intervention
Speaker: Jorge Lopera, MD, FSIR (he/him/his) – UT Health Science Center in San Antonio
1:45 PM - 1:55 PM ET

Pushing the Boundaries of TIPS: Cardiac and Renal Patients
Speaker: Merve Ozen, MD – Mayo Clinic Arizona
1:55 PM - 2:05 PM ET

Pushing the Boundaries of TIPS: Portal Vein Recanalization
Speaker: Arun Gupta, MD – Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM ET

Pushing the Boundaries of TIPS: Oncologic Patients
Speaker: Maria Del Pilar Bayona Molano, MD, FSIR (she/her/hers) – University of Miami
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Q&A