[Indications for preventive sclerosing treatment of esophageal varices]

There is no doubt that patients with liver cirrhosis, large esophageal varices and extremely elevated intraesophageal variceal pressure have a high risk of variceal bleeding. Telangiectasias on the top of large varices, extremely elevated wedged hepatic venous pressure and a severe reduction of clotting factors are probable risk factors for a variceal hemorrhage, too. Several of these risk factors were analysed in a prospective controlled randomized trial. Endoscopic sclerosis was not only able to reduce the frequency of variceal bleeding but also to prolong life significantly. Thus the value of such risk factors for variceal hemorrhage in patients with liver cirrhosis is well established.