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A peritoneovenous shunt (also called LeVeen Shunt) is a shunt which drains peritoneal fluid from the peritoneum into veins, usually the internal jugular vein or the superior vena cava. It is sometimes used in patients with refractory ascites.
| Peritoneovenous shunt | |
|---|---|
| MeSH | D010536 |
It is a long tube with a non-return valve running subcutaneously from the peritoneum to the internal jugular vein in the neck, which allows ascitic fluid to pass directly into the systemic circulation.
Possible complications include:
- Infection
- Superior vena caval thrombosis
- Pulmonary edema
- Bleeding from varices
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
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