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Management of Gastric Varices

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Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in Gastroenterology

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Abstract

Gastroesophageal varices are present in approximately 50% of patients with cirrhosis and are more frequently observed in patients with poor liver function. Gastric varices (GV) bleed less frequently than esophageal varices (EV) and are the bleeding source in approximately 10–30% of patients suffering from variceal hemorrhage [62]. However, bleeding from GV tends to be more severe with higher mortality. In addition, a high proportion of patients, from 35% to 90%, rebleed after spontaneous hemostasis.

This chapter will provide an overview of the classification and pathophysiology of GV, which have direct consequences for management, management of acute gastric variceal bleeding, an introduction to current endoscopic management options for GV along with details of a practical approach to endoscopic management, endovascular management options for GV, and novel endoscopic techniques.

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Choi, J., Lim, YS. (2018). Management of Gastric Varices. In: Sridhar, S., Wu, G. (eds) Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in Gastroenterology. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62993-3_16

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