Screening of esophagogastric varices: Performance of the “Expanded Baveno VI criteria” and the “platelet 150/MELD 6” strategy in all etiology compensated advanced chronic liver disease

Abstract

Background: Baveno VI-criteria, i.e. liver stiffness measurement (LSM) <20 kPa and/or platelet (PLT) count >150,000/mm3) in viral compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) allow sparing 20–25% variceal screening endoscopies. Recently, less conservative strategies to further reduce unneeded endoscopies (“Expanded-Baveno VI criteria”: LSM <25 kPa and/or PLT >110,000/mm3) were proposed. Due to the limits/unavailability worldwide of LSM a “PLT >150,000/MELD 6” strategy was also suggested.