[Correspondence] Pre-emptive TIPS for gastric varices

We read with interest the GAVAPROSEC trial by Jean-Paul Cervoni and colleagues, which reported pre-emptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (p-TIPS) to be a superior modality for secondary prophylaxis of gastric variceal bleeding compared with non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB).1 The results are similar to those reported in previous clinical trials on TIPS in gastric variceal bleeding.2,3 Although the results from this trial are encouraging, several aspects merit further clarification.