(shŭnt)


1. To turn away from; divert.
2. An anomalous passage or one artificially constructed to divert flow from one main route to another.
3. An electric conductor connecting two points in a circuit to form a parallel circuit through which a portion of the current may pass.

anatomical shunt

A normal or abnormal direct connection between arterial and venous circulation. An example of a normal anatomical shunt is the bronchial and thebesian vein connection.

arteriovenous shunt

An abnormal connection between an artery and the venous system.

Blalock-Taussig shunt

SEE: Blalock-Taussig shunt

cardiovascular shunt

An abnormal connection between the cavities of the heart or between the systemic and pulmonary vessels.

dialysis shunt

An arteriovenous shunt created for use during renal dialysis.

intraocular shunt

A shunt placed in the anterior chamber of the eye to reduce elevated intraocular pressure.

left-to-right shunt

The passage of blood from the left side of the heart to the right side through an abnormal opening (such as a septal defect).

lumboperitoneal shunt

Surgery for treating normal pressure hydrocephalus in which cerebrospinal fluid is channeled from the spinal cord to the peritoneum. Unlike ventriculoperitioneal shunting, this shunting does not require intracranial surgery.
SEE: ventriculoperitioneal shunt

mesocaval shunt

A surgical connection between the inferior vena cava and the superior mesenteric vein, i.e., a treatment for portal hypertension that relieves pressure in the portal veins by linking them to the systemic circulation.

peritoneovenous shunt

A shunt from the peritoneal cavity to the venous circulation used to help control ascites by allowing ascitic fluid to enter the venous circulation.
SYN: SEE: LeVeen shunt

physiological shunt

The route by which pulmonary blood perfuses unventilated alveoli. This process is caused by an imbalance between ventilation and perfusion.

pleuroperitoneal shunt

A conduit connecting the pleural space and the peritoneum, used to drain recurring pleural effusions, such as those that accumulate in patients with certain cancers in the chest.
SYN: SEE: Denver shunt

portacaval shunt

Surgical creation of a connection between the portal vein and the vena cava.
SYN: SEE: postcaval shunt

postcaval shunt

SEE: Portacaval shunt.

reversed shunt

SEE: Right-to-left shunt.

right-to-left shunt

The movement of blood or other body fluids backward through a shunt. The shunted blood has no opportunity to become oxygenated because of failure to pass through the lungs.
SYN: SEE: reversed shunt

transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

ABBR: TIPS A shunt inserted through the skin, jugular vein, and liver and then into the portal venous system to manage complications of portal hypertension, such as bleeding caused by esophageal varices or uncontrollable ascites. The shunt decreases pressure within the portal venous circulation, e.g., in patients with cirrhosis, bypassing the liver and allowing portal blood to flow directly into the vena cava. A common complication of the procedure is altered mental status, since blood that was previously detoxified by the liver is directed around it.

ventriculoperitioneal shunt

A common shunt for treating hydrocephalus, consisting of a plastic tube between a cerebral ventricle and the peritoneum.
SEE: lumboperitoneal shunt