Angiogram (X-ray) of surgery to lower the blood pressure in the portal vein of a 58 year old male patient. A catheter (black line) and balloon (centre) have been used to form a channel (shunt) between the portal vein, which moves blood from the digestive system to the liver, and the hepatic vein, which carries blood away from the liver. A stent (wire mesh tube) will hold this TIPSS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) open. The high blood pressure has been causing enlarged veins in the esophagus and bleeding in the digestive system.