Portal hypertension: diagnosis and management with particular reference to variceal hemorrhage

Portal hypertension is a cause a major luminal gut hemorrhage, most often from esophageal varices. Identification of those with varices, and administration of therapies to reduce the likelihood of initial bleeding improve patient outcomes. Beta blocker therapy or variceal band ligation are most often used in this context. Management of acute variceal hemorrhage (including routine use of antibiotics) is followed by initiating strategies to reduce the frequency of recurrent bleeding. Mortality from portal hypertensive bleeding has been diminished by use of these interventions.