Abstract
Of the consequences of portal hypertension, varices carr the most sinister implications. During life, the risk of hemorrhage from varices hangs like a "sword of Damocles" over a cirrhotic’s head. Hemorrhage, when it occurs, expedites the patient’s demise, or often itself proves to be the terminal event. Compared with other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhage from varices is most severe, and the available therapies, over the long-term, are the least definitive.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cales P, Desmorat H, Vinel JP, et al. Incidence of large esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis: application to prophylaxis of first bleeding. Gut 1990, 31:1298–1302.
Olsson R. The natural history of esophageal varices: a retrospective study of 224 cases with liver cirrhosis. Digestion 1972, 6:65–74.
The North Italian Endoscopy Club for the study and treatment of esophageal varices. Prediction of the first variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and esophageal varices: a prospective multicenter study. N Engl J Med 1988, 319:983–989.
Graham DY, Smith JL. The course of patients after variceal hemorrhage. Gastroenterology 1981, 80:800–809.
Shahi HM, Sarin SK. Prevention of first variceal bleed: an appraisal of current therapies. Am J Gastroenterol 1998, 93:2348–2358.
Sivak MV. Esophageal varices. In Gastroenterologic Endoscopy. Edited by Sivak MV. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.; 1987:342–372.
Laine L, Cook D. Endoscopic ligation compared with sclerotherapy for treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding. Ann Intern Med 1995, 123:280–287.
Saeed ZA, Ramirez FC. Endoscopic therapy of bleeding from portal hypertension. Sem Gastrointest Dis 1992, 3:83–98.
Dennert B, Ramirez FC, Sanowski RA. A prospective evaluation of the endoscopic spectrum of overtube-related esophageal mucosal injury. Gastrointest Endosc 1997, 45:134–137.
Saeed ZA. The Saeed six-shooter: a prospective study of a new endoscopic multiple rubber-band ligator for the treatment of varices. Endoscopy 1996, 28:559–564.
Reh H, Hochberger J, Horning P, Martus P. In vitro studies comparing different single and multiple band ligators for the treatment of esophagogastric varices. Gastrointest Endosc 1997, 45:AB79.
Hochberger J, Reh H, Horning P, Martus EG. Clinical experience using a new multi-band-ligator (speedband) for endoscopic ligation of esophagogastric varices in 124 treatment sessions and 44 patients. Gastrointest Endosc 1997, 45:AB70.
Rossle M, Siegerstetter V, Huber M, Ochs A. The first decade of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Liver 1998, 18:73–89.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saeed, Z.A. Management of esophageal varices. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 1, 71–76 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-999-0090-7
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-999-0090-7