An IATA accreditation is a seal of approval issued to qualified travel agents and cargo agents. Approximately 60,000 agents worldwide are accredited with an official IATA number by the issuing body, International Air Transport Association. Founded in 1945, this industry trade association represents approximately 280 airlines in 120 countries.
A liver shunt is a blood vessel that carries blood around the liver instead of through it. In some animals a liver shunt is a birth defect (congenital portosystemic shunt).In others, multiple small shunts (acquired portosystemic shunts) form because of severe liver disease such as cirrhosis. portogram is an x-ray of the blood vessels to the liver. Because blood vessels are not easily seen on regular x-rays, a contrast material (a liquid that looks white on x-rays) must be injected into a blood vessel in the abdomen.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure that may be used to reduce portal hypertension and its complications, especially variceal bleeding. A TIPS procedure may be done by a radiologist, who places a small wire-mesh coil (stent) into a liver vein. The stent is then expanded using a small inflatable balloon (angioplasty). The stent forms a channel, or shunt, that bypasses the liver.