Definition
Definition
The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal varices are abnormally swollen veins within the lining of the esophagus. If undiagnosed or untreated, esophageal varices can rupture and lead to life-threatening bleeding.
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Causes
Causes
Increased pressure in the veins that deliver blood to the liver is known as portal hypertension. The increased pressure causes blood to back up into other smaller vessels, including those of the esophagus. This leads to the formation of esophageal varices.
The medical conditions that lead to the development of portal hypertension and esophageal varices include:
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Blood clots of the splenic, portal, or hepatic veins
- Arterial-portal venous fistula—abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the liver or spleen
- Certain infections
- Severe heart failure
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Sarcoidosis
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your chance of developing esophageal varices include:
- Chronic alcohol use disorder
- Chronic viral hepatitis
Symptoms
Symptoms
Esophageal varices are usually only diagnosed when bleeding occurs. Though bleeding from esophageal varices may not be severe and may stop on its own, first-time bleeding events may result in death in some cases.
Signs of bleeding from esophageal varices include:
- Vomiting or coughing up blood
- Red, tarry, or very dark stools
- Low blood pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Rapid heartbeat
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include the following:
- Endoscopy to view your esophagus
- Ultrasound
- Blood tests
Treatment
Treatment
Several treatments can help lower the risk of vessel rupture or stop bleeding if it starts. Treatment options include the following:
Medications
Medications may be given to lower blood pressure in the veins to decrease the risk of bleeding or help slow bleeding.
Endoscopic Band Ligation
During endoscopic band ligation, a rubber band is tied around bulging veins to prevent ruptures or stop bleeding.
Balloon Tamponade
This procedure involves the passage of a balloon through the nose to help compress the bleeding varices.
Sclerotherapy
During sclerotherapy, drugs intended to slow bleeding are injected into the bleeding vein and sometimes into the surrounding area. The drugs cause clots to form and harden the vein to stop bleeding.
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunting (TIPS)
TIPS involves threading a catheter from a neck vein to the liver. A stent, a small tube designed to keep veins open, is bound to the catheter and inserted into the liver. It will increase blood flow through the portal vein and relieve blood pressure in the esophageal varices.
This procedure can control bleeding in most cases.
Distal Splenorenal Shunt (DSRS)
DSRS is a surgical procedure that connects the main vein in the spleen to the left kidney vein. The procedure is done to lower blood pressure in the swollen vessels and to limit bleeding.
Esophageal Transection
This procedure is reserved for those who fail to respond to medications or endoscopic treatment and are not considered good candidates for a shunting procedure.
Liver Transplant
Liver transplantation is the only way to completely cure esophageal varices.
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of esophageal varices:
- Get treatment for problems with alcohol use disorder.
- Tell your doctor if you are at risk for chronic liver disease, blood clots, or are on medications that may damage the liver.
If you already have chronic liver disease, your doctor may prescribe medications to prevent swollen vessels from developing.
RESOURCES:
American Gastroenterological Association http://www.gastro.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Liver Foundation http://www.liver.ca
References:
Bhasin DK, Siyad I. Variceal bleeding and portal hypertension: new lights on old horizon. Endoscopy. 2004;36(2):120-129.
D’Amico G. The role of vasoactive drugs in the treatment of oesophageal varices. Expert Opinion Pharmacotherapy. 2004;5(2):349-360.
Garcia-Tsao G, Sanyal AJ. Prevention and management of gastroesophageal varicies and variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007;102(9):2086-2102.
Gastroesophageal varices. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated May 13, 2013. Accessed July 10, 2013.
Kamath PS. Esophageal variceal bleeding: primary prophylaxis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;3(1):90-93.
Lubel JS, Angus PW. Modern management of portal hypertension. Intern Med J. 2005;35(1):45-49.
Villanueva C, Piqueras M, Aracil C, et al. A randomized controlled trial comparing ligation and sclerotherapy as emergency endoscopic treatment added to somatostatin in acute variceal bleeding. J Hepatol.2006;45(4):560-567
Last Updated: 7/10/2013