A hepatologist's view of variceal bleeding

Patients with cirrhosis and esophagogastric varices have a 25% to 33% risk of initial variceal bleeding, a risk of up to 70% for recurrent variceal bleeding, and an associated mortality of up to 50%. Based on a review of prospective randomized trials, control of acute variceal bleeding should involve vasopressin plus nitroglycerin as indicated for minor bleeding episodes, sclerotherapy for more severe bleeding episodes, and staple transection of the esophagus for patients who do not respond to these initial measures. Emergency portasystemic shunt surgery cannot be recommended at this time. For prevention of recurrent variceal hemorrhage, the data support the use of nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers (propranolol or nadolol) for patients with good liver function (Child's class A and B) and the use of chronic sclerotherapy to obliterate esophageal varices for patients with decompensated cirrhosis (Child's class C). Surgical procedures should be reserved for failures of medical management. The use of beta-adrenergic blockers offers the most promise for prevention of initial variceal bleeding.