Some liver tumors are characterized by the fact that they are supplied almost exclusively via the hepatic arteries. Healthy liver tissue, on the other hand, receives most of its nutrients from the visceral vein. This fact enables highly targeted chemotherapy: the minimally invasive injection of drugs via the hepatic artery. As a result, significantly higher concentrations of the chemotherapeutic agent are achieved in the liver tumor than when administered via a vein, for example. In order to allow the chemotherapy to act on the tumor for a long time, a so-called embolizate (liquid or particle) is added to the drug, which leads to a slowing of the flow in the arteries. The general impairment of quality of life is relatively low with this procedure.

Some liver diseases are associated with a disturbed outflow of blood from the intestinal veins through the liver into the vena cava. This can result in esophageal or gastric bleeding or the appearance of ascites. During TIPS, a minimally invasive connection is created between the portal vein system (intestinal vein system) and the inferior vena cava in order to improve the outflow of blood.