Coated transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt does not improve thrombocytopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background/aim: Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of chronic liver disease. The theory of portal decompression to improve thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism has led to the study of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as a potential therapy. However, there is a paucity of data and results have been conflicting.