Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Underwater Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy for Gastroesophageal Varices
02:14

Underwater Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy for Gastroesophageal Varices

Published on: August 1, 2025

[Natural history of gastric varices and risk factors for bleeding]

Choong Hyeon Lee1, Joon Hyoek Lee, Yong Sung Choi

  • 1Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

The Korean Journal of Hepatology
|September 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Gastric varices (GV) bleeding is a serious complication of portal hypertension. Large GV and poor liver function are key risk factors for bleeding in Korean patients, necessitating close monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Gastric varices (GV) are a severe complication of portal hypertension.
  • Limited data exists on the clinical course of GV in the Korean population.
  • Understanding the natural history of GV is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the natural history of gastric varices (GV) bleeding in Korean patients.
  • To identify risk factors associated with GV bleeding.
  • To evaluate long-term survival rates in patients with GV.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 237 Korean patients diagnosed with GV between 1995 and 2005.
  • Exclusion of patients with prior variceal bleeding or interventions.
  • Evaluation of cumulative incidence of GV bleeding, survival rates, and risk factors.

Main Results:

  • The cumulative incidence of GV bleeding was 4.8% at 1 year, 19.9% at 3 years, and 23.2% at 5 years.
  • Overall survival rates were 88.6% (1 year), 53.2% (5 years), and 37.2% (10 years).
  • Independent risk factors for GV bleeding included large GV (HR 2.49) and poor liver function (Child-Pugh B/C, HR 3.95).

Conclusions:

  • Gastric varices bleeding is more common in patients with fundal varices compared to type 1 gastroesophageal varices.
  • Large GV size and impaired liver function are significant predictors of GV bleeding.
  • High-risk patients require vigilant observation and prophylactic measures against variceal bleeding.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy Assisted by Cyanoacrylate and Clips for Gastroesophageal Varices04:09

Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy Assisted by Cyanoacrylate and Clips for Gastroesophageal Varices

Published on: June 13, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction01:24

Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction

Esophageal varices are dilated, tortuous veins which are found mainly in the submucosa of the lower esophagus but which may also appear higher up or extend into the stomach. They develop due to increased pressure in the portal venous system, often as a result of liver cirrhosis. This condition scars and damages the liver, impeding normal blood flow through the portal vein. To compensate, blood seeks alternative pathways, forming fragile new vessels (varices) in the esophagus and stomach. These...
Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management01:28

Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management

Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...
Varicose Veins I: Introduction01:26

Varicose Veins I: Introduction

Varicose veins, or varicosities, are abnormally dilated and twisted superficial veins caused by venous valve incompetence. This condition commonly affects the lower extremities, especially the saphenous veins, due to the higher pressure from prolonged standing and walking. However, varicosities can also occur in other areas, such as the esophagus, vulva, spermatic cords, and anorectal region.Etiology and typesPrimary varicose veins, often idiopathic, are more common in women due to inherent...
Peptic Ulcer01:27

Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers are erosive lesions of the gastric or duodenal lining, most commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. This Gram-negative, helical bacterium has adapted to survive the stomach’s acidic environment by producing urease, which converts urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia neutralizes gastric acid in the bacterium’s immediate environment, allowing colonization of the gastric mucosa. H. pylori attaches to mucus-secreting epithelial cells, penetrates the mucus...
Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology01:17

Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology

Gastritis is marked by disruption of the mucosal barrier that usually protects the stomach tissue from digestive juices and manifests in acute and chronic forms.
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Complications01:25

Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Complications

Duodenal UlcersDuodenal ulcers are the most common form of peptic ulcer disease, presenting with chronic, intermittent epigastric pain. Pain typically appears 2–3 hours after meals, especially when the stomach is empty, often waking patients at night. It is characteristically relieved by food or antacids (“pain–food–relief”). Some patients remain asymptomatic until complications like bleeding or perforation emerge, particularly with NSAID or anticoagulant use.Gastric UlcersGastric ulcers share...