Low Platelets and Tips procedure

[nicolas]

I am 44 and have had HCV since 1981, caught through IV drug  use. I have been "clean" for 7 years. I have been closely monitored for 5 years. My platelet count  has dropped  from 65 to 17-20 over this period. I have a hugely enlaged spleen, 23 cm by  length and 2 litres by volume . I have an Ultrasound every 6 months and  yearly CT scan and endoscopy  .  Plainly I have advanced cirrhosis.  2  years ago I became an insulin dependent diabetic. Recently   I  have shown evidence of esophageal varices.  I am extremely lucky in having no other symptoms. The leading UK liver specialists are very relaxed about my platelet level though  if it keps dropping I will have problems. Another specialist  has suggested I consider a TIPS procedure. My  main specialist  follows the dictum 'if it ain't broke don't fix it ' and is concerned that I  a  (on the surface)healthy and active father of 3 young children could be bounced into a transplant.
1. How many TIPS procedures are performed each year?
2 What % are successful?  What is the definition of success?
3. Should a transplasnt liver be on standby?
4. Would a successful op raise my platelets sufficiently to undergo  combo treatment?
5. What is the average gap between a successful TIPS and a transplant?
6. How long must one monitor varices to obtain a reasonably accurate timeline for their growth?
7. What do  I  lose by doing nothing? What are the advantages of being agressive?
Many thanks for your help.

[SUNIL22]

Sir I have done CBC in which my platelets are coming as 82 but the reference range is 150-400 , kindly suggest me for the same.