Final answer:
The statement is false; a stent is not used to attach the portal vein to the hepatic vein. The risk of hepatic encephalopathy is not increased by a stent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement in question, which suggests that a stent attaches the portal vein to the hepatic vein and directs it to the inferior vena cava (IVC), increasing the risk of hepatic encephalopathy, is incorrect. A stent is not used to attach the portal vein to the hepatic vein or direct it to the IVC. Instead, a stent is a small metal mesh tube that is used to keep blood vessels open, such as in the case of a blocked artery.
In the context of the liver, a stent may be used to treat complications of portal hypertension, but not in the way described in the statement. It is important to note that hepatic encephalopathy is not directly caused by a stent, but rather by the liver's inability to detoxify certain substances due to conditions like cirrhosis.
Therefore, the answer to the question is False.