Treatment of Acute Hemorrhage from Esophageal Varices in Cirrhotic Patients.

Abstract

Cirrhosis describes the end stages of chronic inflammation and progressive scarring of the liver and may lead to hepatocellular dysfunction and portal venous hypertension. Liver cirrhosis in itself is a major cause of mortality worldwide, accounting from more than 1 million deaths in 2010. Esophageal varices are common in cirrhosis such that Christensen et al. documented their occurrence in 90% of patients with cirrhosis within 10 years of follow up, 40% experiencing variceal bleeding. Acute hemorrhage from esophageal varices will classically appear as hematemesis and/or melena in patients with a history of cirrhosis. It is most often diagnosed by performance of an EGD which will reveal actively bleeding varices. Because of the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with esophageal variceal bleeding, one must have a high index of suspicion in any patient with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. As such, empiric management for variceal hemorrhage should be initiated any time this diagnosis is considered.