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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.

The Esophagus

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Causes

Increased pressure in the veins that deliver blood to the liver (known as portal hypertension ) leads to the formation of esophageal varices. The increased pressure causes blood to back up into other smaller vessels, including those of the esophagus.

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 drugs (arsenic, azathioprine, methotrexate, and others)
  • Certain infections (for instance, schistosomiasis, a parasite)
  • Severe heart failure
  • Tumor in pancreas
  • ]]>Hodgkin's disease]]>
  • ]]>Sarcoidosis]]>

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Risk Factors

The following factors increase your chance of developing bleeding esophageal varices. If you have any of these risk factors, tell your doctor:

  • Chronic alcohol intake
  • Chronic vital hepatitis
  • NSAID use
  • Chronic hepatitis]]>
  • Disorders of blood clotting
  • Certain parasitic infections

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Symptoms

Esophageal varices are sometimes only diagnosed when it bleeds—a consequence in roughly half of all people with the condition. Though bleeding from esophageal varices may not be severe and may stop on its own, first-time bleeding events result in death in 30%-50% of cases. Bleeding esophageal varices recur in approximately half of all patients.

Signs of bleeding from esophageal varices include:

  • Vomiting or coughing up blood
  • Red, tarry, or very dark stools
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Rapid heartbeat

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to esophageal varices. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Your doctor may also refer you to a gastroenterologist, a specialist skilled in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system.

Tests may include the following:

  • Blood tests—complete blood count, liver and kidney function, and coagulation tests
  • Ultrasound]]> —useful imaging modality to study blood flow in the portal system
  • Endoscopy—a small, flexible tube attached to a light and camera is inserted into the mouth down into the esophagus and stomach to view the source of any bleeding and swollen vessel

Endoscope

Endoscope
An endoscope allows the doctor to view inside organs.
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Treatment

Several treatments can help lower the risk of vessel rupture or to stop bleeding if it starts. Treatment options include the following:

Endoscopic Band Ligation

During endoscopic band ligation]]>, a rubber band is tied around the bulging veins to prevent ruptures or stop bleeding. This is considered the first line treatment.

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.

Drug Therapy

Drugs used to relieve blood pressure include terlipressin, vasopressin, nitroglycerin, octreotide, and somatostatin.

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 to increase blood flow through the portal vein and relieve blood pressure in the esophageal varices. This procedure can control bleeding in over 90% of cases.

Distal Splenorenal Shunt (DSRS)

A surgical procedure connecting the main vein in the spleen to the left kidney vein. The procedure is done to lower blood pressure in the swollen vessels and limit bleeding.

Esophageal Transection

This procedure is reserved for those patients who fail to respond to either drug 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.

If you are diagnosed with esophageal varices, follow your doctor's instructions .

Prevention

To help reduce your chances of getting esophageal varices, take the following steps:

  • Seek immediate treatment for long-term alcohol abuse.
  • Drugs such as beta-blockers (propranolol or nadolol) or isosorbide mononitrate could prevent recurrent bleeding.
  • 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 drugs to prevent swollen vessels from developing.