When the blood pressure in the portal system is high (portal hypertension), the pressure back up and can cause dilation of veins. Portal hypertension causes an increase in the blood pressure in the veins in the lower esophagus and stomach. Because these veins are not meant to tolerate high pressure, they expand, dilate, resulting in varices. As the varices dilate and develop, they can overdistend and rupture, causing variceal bleed.
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Esophageal varices (EV) usually arise secondary to portal hypertension due to pathologies like cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Portal hypertension from liver cirrhosis (60% of have EVs) or HCC. Distal esophageal vein usually drain into the portal vein via the left gastric vein, but in portal hypertension, the left gastric vein back up into the esophagus vein, resulting in dilation (varices).
Risk factors include all causes of liver cirrhosis: Alcohol (most common), Wilson disease, Hemochromatosis, α1-Antitrypsin deficiency, Chronic Hepatitis (viral), Schistosomiasis, Sarcoidosis are all risk factors that can lead to post cirrhosis portal hypertension, eventually causing esophageal varices.
Esophageal varices are usually asymptomatic. It is estimated that 15% of patients who bleed from varices will die, emphasizing the need to prevent so. Varices do not cause symptoms until they rupture, causing massive painless bleeding, presenting as hematemesis, black stools, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness.
Have risk of rupture of the esophageal vein and present with painless hematemesis, dark stools, and lightheadedness. In addition to bleeding, all the symptoms of liver cirrhosis including portal hypertension complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, splenomegaly, gynecomastia, pedal edema, coagulopathy can also be present.
Esophageal Varices rupture: Most common cause of death in patient with cirrhosis (50%) (which causes the portal hypertension). A ruptured vein can cause potentially fatal hemorrhage
Because of the serious consequences of bleeding, and because treatment can reduce this risk, experts recommend that all people with cirrhosis undergo testing to determine if varices are present. Patient with cirrhosis are recommended for testing to rule out varices before they bleed.
Patient under upper endoscopy will be managed depending on the present of varices: If no varices present, patient would need upper endoscopy every 2-3 years. If positive for varices, they need to followup for a recheck 1-2 years for possible enlargement. Medication may be commenced depending on the risk of bleeding.
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