The concept of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-assisted shunt (TIPSS) using the Palmaz iliac stent has been successfully accomplished in 18 of 24 patients representing a technical success rate of 75%. Fourteen were male, 4 female with a mean age of 60 years (range 34-84 years). According to classification of Child's and Turcotte, 6 were in stage A, 6 in stage B, and 6 in stage C. Five patients were treated on an emergency basis because of massive active bleeding. In 10 patients the portosystemic tract was created between the middle hepatic vein and the right main stem of the portal vein in 8, and the left main stem in 2 patients. In 8 patients, the shunt was established between the right hepatic vein and the right main branch of the portal vein. The portosystemic gradient in 18 patients was 29.9 +/- 6 mm Hg and dropped to an average of 16.9 +/- 4 mm Hg after shunt establishment. Within the early postprocedural period of 30 days, 1 patient died of direct complications of the procedure. Because of catheter dislocation, embolization of the percutaneous transhepatic approach to the portal vein after successful shunt "creation" could not be done and was followed by intraabdominal exsanguination. One patient died of an ARDS after TIPSS. A third developed pulmonary infection. In 13 patients, because of hematomas at the puncture site of the transhepatic approach, only the transjugular approach was elected for establishing TIPSS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)