This multicenter RCT is designed to investigate if TIPS with covered stents improves transplant-free survival for cirrhotic patients with early stage of refractory ascites compared to LVP+albumin during 1 year follow-up period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of liver cirrhosis
• Recurrent and refractory ascites
• Patients with an age between 18 and 65 years old
• Child-Pugh ≤12
• Absence of hepatic encephalopathy
• Patient is willing and able to comply with all study protocol requirements, including specified follow-up and testing.
• Patient, or legal authorized representative, is willing to provide written informed consent prior to enrollment in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• With more than 6 paracenteses within the last 3 months
• patients expected to receive transplants within the next 6 months or on waiting list
• Usual contra-indication for TIPS: congestive heart failure NYHA>III or medical history of pulmonary hypertension, portal vein thrombosis（>50%）, hepatic polycystosis, intra-hepatic bile ducts dilatation
• Patient has had previous TIPS placement
• Severe liver dysfunction by: Prothrombin index < 40% or total bilirubin > 50μmol/l
• Serum creatinine >133μmol/l
• Severe hyponatremia <125mmol / L
• Uncontrolled sepsis
• Gastrointestinal hemorrhage within 6 weeks of randomization
• Known allergy to albumin
• Pregnant or breast feeding women
• Refusal to participate or patient unable to receive informations or to sign written informed consent