Endoscopic treatment of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis

Variceal bleeding is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension with a six-week mortality rate of approximately 20%. Patients with medium- or large-sized varices can be treated for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding using two strategies: non-selective beta-blockers(NSBBs) or endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL). Both treatments are equally effective. Patients with acute variceal bleeding are critically ill patients. The available data suggest that vasoactive drugs, com-bined with endoscopic therapy and antibiotics, are the best treatment strategy with EVL being the endoscopic procedure of choice. In cases of uncontrolled bleeding, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) with polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)-covered stents are recommended. Approximately 60% of the patients experience rebleeding, with a mortality rate of 30%. Secondary prophylaxis should start on day six following the initial bleeding episode. The combination of NSBBs and EVL is the recommended management, whereas TIPS with PTFE-covered stents are the preferred op-tion in patients who fail endoscopic and pharmacologic treatment. Apart from injection sclerotherapy and EVL, other endoscopic procedures, including tissue adhe-sives, endoloops, endoscopic clipping and argon plasmacoagulation, have been used in the management of esophageal varices. However, their efficacy and safety, compared to standard endoscopic treatment, remain to be further elucidated. There are safety issues accompa-nying endoscopic techniques with aspiration pneumonia occurring at a rate of approximately 2.5%. In conclu-sion, future research is needed to improve treatment strategies, including novel endoscopic techniques with better efficacy, lower cost, and fewer adverse events.     

Medical management of variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Bleeding from gastroesophageal varices is a frequent and often deadly complication of cirrhosis. The key factor in the natural history of esophageal varices is increased portal pressure, which in cirrhosis is due to the combination of increased hepatic vascular resistance and increased portal collateral blood flow. The maintenance and aggravation of this situation leads to the progressive dilation of the varices and thinning of the variceal wall, until the tension exerted by the variceal wall exceeds the elastic limit of the vessel, leading to variceal hemorrhage. Mortality from a variceal bleeding episode has decreased in the last two decades from 40% to 20% due to the implementation of effective treatments and improvement in the general medical care. Initial treatment should include adequate fluid resuscitation and transfusion to maintain the hematocrit at 25% to 30%, and prophylactic antibiotics (norfloxacin or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid). It is currently recommended that a vasoactive drug be started at the time of admission. Drug therapy may be started during transferal to hospital by medical or paramedical personnel and maintained for up to five days to prevent early rebleeding. Terlipressin, a vasopressin derivative, is the preferred agent because of its safety profile and proven efficacy in improving survival. Somatostatin is as effective as terlipressin, but may require higher than the usually recommended dosage. Octreotide is effective in conjunction with endoscopic therapy, but is the second choice because it has not been shown to reduce mortality. Vasopressin may be used where terlipressin is not available, but should be given in combination with transdermal nitroglycerin. Endoscopic elastic band ligation is the recommended endoscopic treatment, but injection sclerotherapy is still employed in many centres for active variceal bleeding. Failures of medical therapy (drugs plus endoscopic therapy) should undergo a second course of endoscopic therapy before proceeding to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or, in rare occasions, to portosystemic shunt surgery. Administration of recombinant activated factor VII may decrease the number of treatment failures among patients with advanced liver failure (Child-Pugh class B and C).     

Role of vasoactive drugs in the treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices

Recent advances in the knowledge of the pathophysiology of portal hypertension has opened new indications for the pharmacologic treatment of acute variceal bleeding. Treatment with vasoactive agents is immediately available, easy to use and can be considered as definitive or adjunctive to endoscopic therapy. The data from randomised trials of vasoactive drug treatment for acute variceal bleeding are reviewed, using meta-analysis where applicable. The use of vasopressin has been decreased as a consequence of its questionable efficacy and its high incidence of side effects. Terlipressin is the only drug that has been shown to improve survival, albeit in small trials and there are insufficient data of its use over 5 days. Somatostatin has been shown to have similar efficacy with terlipressin with significantly less side effects. The demonstrated efficacy of octreotide in acute variceal bleeding is less than terlipressin and somatostatin and it cannot be considered as drug of first choice. Somatostatin combined with sclerotherapy represents the optimal therapy today as this combination has been shown to be more effective than sclerotherapy alone and it is safe given over 5 days.     

Management of acute bleeding from portal hypertension

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a frequent and severe complication of portal hypertension. The most frequent cause of the bleeding is variceal rupture. Despite improvements in prognosis after variceal bleeding over the past two decades, the 6-week mortality rate remains high, ranging from 15 to 30%. Patients die from uncontrolled bleeding, early rebleeding, infection, or renal failure within the first weeks of a bleeding episode. Poor hepatic function, severe portal hypertension with a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) >20 mmHg, and active bleeding at endoscopy are independently associated with poor prognosis. First-line treatment includes resuscitation, prophylactic antibiotic therapy, the combined use of vasoactive drugs (started as soon as possible), and an endoscopic procedure. Reconstitution of blood volume should be done cautiously to maintain the haematocrit between 25 and 30%. Terlipressin, somatostatin, or octreotide can be used, and drug therapy is maintained from 48 h to 5 days. Ligation is the endoscopic treatment of choice in bleeding oesophageal varices; in gastric varices, obturation with cyanoacrylate is preferable. Uncontrolled bleeding should be an indication for a salvage transjugular portosystemic shunt (TIPS). In patients with Child-Pugh score A, shunt surgery might be an alternative to TIPS. Trials are currently ongoing into the precise indications of early TIPS in selected patients with an HVPG >20 mmHg, and into the usefulness of administration of recombinant activated factor VII when there is an active bleeding at endoscopy.     

Endoscopic treatment versus endoscopic plus pharmacologic treatment for acute variceal bleeding: a meta-analysis

Endoscopic therapy, involving either injection sclerosis or band ligation, is considered the intervention of first choice for acute variceal bleeding (AVB). Pharmacologic agents have also been shown to be highly effective in the control of the bleeding episode. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess whether vasoactive drugs may improve the efficacy of endoscopic therapy (injection sclerosis or band ligation) in the control of AVB and thus increase survival rates. Computer databases and scientific meeting abstracts from 1994 to 2001 were used to search for randomized trials that compared the combined use of endoscopic and drug therapy with endoscopic therapy alone in the control of AVB. Eight trials involving 939 patients fulfilled the selection criteria and the following evaluated by standard meta-analysis methods: initial hemostasis, 5-day hemostasis, 5-day mortality, and adverse events. Combined treatment improved initial control of bleeding (relative risk [RR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.23), and 5-day hemostasis (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.18-1.39), with numbers of patients needed to treat (NNT) of 8 and 5, respectively. The difference in favor of combined treatment remained significant when trials that used drugs other than octreotide or that included a low proportion of alcoholic patients (<40%) or high-risk cirrhotic patients (<35%) were excluded. Mortality was not significantly decreased by combined therapy (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.45-1.18). Severe adverse events were similar in both groups. In conclusion, in patients with AVB, pharmacologic agents improve the efficacy of endoscopic therapy to achieve initial control of bleeding and 5-day hemostasis, yet fail to affect mortality.     

Variceal hemorrhage

Opinion statement Reducing morbidity and mortality from esophageal varices remains a challenge for physicians managing patients with chronic liver disease. For patients who have never bled from varices, prophylactic therapy with nonselective beta-blockers reduces the risk of initial variceal bleeding and bleeding-related death. Thus, patients with newly diagnosed cirrhosis should be considered for endoscopic variceal screening. All patients with Child’s class B and C cirrhosis should be offered endoscopic screening, whereas those with Child’s class A with evidence of portal hypertension (eg, platelet count less than 140,000 per milliliter, portal vein diameter larger than 13 mm, evidence of splenic varices on ultrasound) should be screened. The principal risk factors for variceal bleeding are variceal size, the presence of color changes on the variceal wall (indicative of decreased wall thickness), and degree of liver dysfunction. Patients with moderate or large sized varices and those with varices exhibiting color changes (eg, red wale marks, cherry red spots) should be treated with beta-blockers. Individuals without varices and those with small varices should undergo repeat endoscopy at approximately 2-year intervals. Patients unwilling or unable to take beta-blockers do not need to be screened. For patients with acute variceal bleeding, the combination of pharmacologic therapy plus endoscopic therapy is superior to either therapy alone. Octreotide is the drug most often used as initial therapy in the United States. Terlipressin is the preferred agent; however, it is not available in the United States. Endoscopy is performed as early as possible, and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy or endoscopic variceal band ligation is employed if variceal bleeding is confirmed or suspected. Endoscopic therapy should be repeated until the varices are obliterated completely. The addition of beta-blockers to endoscopic sclerotherapy or ligation may decrease the rate of rebleeding compared with receiving endoscopic treatment alone. Patients with bleeding refractory to combined medical plus endoscopic therapy should be considered for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts or shunt surgery.     

Pharmacologic therapy of portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage

Patients with large esophageal varices who are deemed compliant and have no contraindications to beta-blocker therapy should be started on nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers (Fig. 5). The dose should be titrated to a 25% decrease in resting heart rate, a resting heart rate of 55 to 60 beats per minute, or development of symptoms, in which case the dose should be decreased until the patient's symptoms abate. If available, measurements of the HVPG at baseline and 3 months can be very helpful in ascertaining the response to treatment and in making the appropriate adjustments (e.g., adding a second drug). Sclerotherapy or endoscopic variceal ligation are the preferred therapies for treatment of acute esophageal variceal bleeding. Concomitant use of vasoactive drugs can supplement endoscopic treatment. They offer the advantage of early administration as soon as the diagnosis is suspected while awaiting endoscopy. Unlike endoscopic treatment, they decrease portal pressure and are the only established treatment for nonvariceal sources of bleeding related to portal hypertension. Once the index bleed is controlled, the patient should be started on treatment to reduce the high risk of recurrent variceal hemorrhage (Fig. 6). For patients with well-compensated cirrhosis, pharmacologic therapy may be desirable. For less compliant patients or patients with decompensated cirrhosis, an endoscopic technique, such as variceal ligation, may be preferable. Combinations of pharmacologic agents or pharmacologic agents and endoscopic procedures may offer hope for better control, but their efficacy needs to be demonstrated in RCTs. For patients who rebleed despite maximal pharmacologic or endoscopic therapy, a TIPS procedure, surgically created shunt, or liver transplantation should be considered, with the decision based on the patient's condition and the local availability of these options.     

Acute variceal bleeding: pharmacological treatment and primary/secondary prophylaxis

Variceal bleeding is one of the most severe complications of portal hypertension related to liver cirrhosis. Primary prophylaxis is considered mandatory in patients with cirrhosis and high-risk oesophageal varices, and once varices have bled, every effort should be made to arrest the haemorrhage and prevent further bleeding episodes. In acute variceal bleeding, vasoactive drugs that lower portal pressure should be started even before endoscopy, and should be maintained for up to 5 days. The choice of vasoactive drug should be made according to local resources. Terlipressin, somatostatin and octreotide can be used; vasopressin plus transdermal nitroglycerin may be used if no other drug is available. In variceal bleeding, antibiotic therapy is also mandatory. In primary and secondary prophylaxis, beta-blockers are the mainstay of therapy. In secondary prophylaxis (but not in primary prophylaxis) these drugs can be combined with organic nitrates.     

Medical treatment of portal hypertension

Prevention of the first variceal haemorrhage should start when the patients have developed medium sized to large varices. Non-selective beta-blockers are the first-line treatment; band ligation is roughly equivalent to beta-blockers and is the first choice for patients with contraindications or intolerance to beta-blockers. Treatment of acute bleeding should aim at controlling bleeding and preventing early rebleeding and complications, especially infections. Combined endoscopic and pharmacological treatment with vasoactive drugs can control bleeding in up to 90% of patients. All patients who survive a variceal bleed should be treated with beta-blockers or band ligation to prevent rebleeding. All patients in whom bleeding cannot be controlled or who continue to rebleed can be treated with salvage TIPS or, in selected cases, with surgical shunts. Liver transplantation should be considered for patients with severe liver insufficiency in which first-line treatments fail.     

Diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension

Prevention of the first variceal haemorrhage should start when the patients have developed medium-sized to large varices. Non-selective beta-blockers and band ligation are equally effective in preventing the first bleeding episode. Rubber band ligation is the first choice for patients with contraindications or intolerance to beta-blockers.

Treatment of acute bleeding should aim at controlling bleeding and preventing early rebleeding and complications, especially infections. Combined endoscopic (band ligation or sclerotherapy) and pharmacological treatment with vasoactive drugs can control bleeding in up to 90% of patients. Antibiotic prophylaxis is an integral part of the treatment of acute variceal haemorrhage, and must be started as soon as possible. Emergency transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS) is the standard rescue therapy for patients failing combined endoscopic and pharmacological treatment.

All patients who survive a variceal bleed should be treated with beta-blockers or band ligation to prevent rebleeding. All patients in whom bleeding cannot be controlled or who continue to rebleed can be treated with salvage TIPS or, in selected cases, with surgical shunts. Liver transplantation should be considered for patients with severe liver insufficiency in which first-line treatments fail.     

Nonsurgical treatment of variceal bleeding

Opinion statement Patients with cirrhosis, especially those who have a platelet count of less than 100,000, who are considered compliant, and have no contraindications to beta-blocker therapy, should have a screening endoscopy to ascertain the presence of esophageal varices. Patients with medium to large esophageal varices who are appropriate candidates should be placed on a nonselective beta-blocker (propranolol hyrdochloride, nadolol, timolol maleate) for the prevention of initial variceal hemorrhage. Patients presenting with acute variceal hemorrhage, as determined endoscopically, should be treated with a combination of vasoactive drugs and endoscopic therapy (sclerotherapy or variceal ligation) for the control of acute variceal bleeding and the prevention of early rebleeding. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) should be reserved for failures of initial medical therapy. After successful control of initial variceal bleeding is reached, the rebleeding rate approaches 70% in most studies, with the highest risk period being in the first 6 months after control of the index bleed is obtained [1]. Therefore, all patients should be placed on therapy to prevent recurrent variceal bleeding. Options include pharmacologic therapy, endoscopic therapy, and combinations of endoscopic and pharmacologic therapy. TIPS, surgical shunts, and liver transplantation should be reserved for special circumstances and in general, should only be considered for failures of initial medical therapy.     

Acute variceal bleeding

Bleeding from gastroesophageal varices is a frequent complication of cirrhosis. Mortality from a variceal bleeding episode has decreased in the last 2 decades from 40% to 15 to 20% due to the implementation of effective treatments and improvement in the general medical care. Initial treatment should include adequate fluid resuscitation and transfusion to maintain hemoglobin around 7 to 8 g/dL, and prophylactic antibiotics (norfloxacin or ceftriaxone). It is currently recommended that a vasoactive drug be started as soon as variceal bleeding is suspected. Vasoactive therapy should be maintained for up to 5 days to prevent early rebleeding. Where available, terlipressin, a vasopressin derivative, is the preferred agent because of its safety profile; it represents the only drug with proven efficacy in improving survival. Somatostatin and octreotide are used and are as effective as terlipressin in control of bleeding but have not been shown to reduce mortality. Endoscopic therapy must be performed within the first 12 hours after admission when the patient is stable. Variceal band ligation is the recommended endoscopic treatment, but injection sclerotherapy is an alternative if band ligation is technically difficult. Despite this standard of care, 10 to 20% of patients may still exhibit initial failure to control bleeding or early rebleeding within the first 5 days. In failures to control bleeding the use of rescue transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) using covered stents is the best alternative. In mild early rebleeding a second course of endoscopic therapy may be attempted. If rebleeding is severe, placement of TIPS using covered stents is the first-choice rescue treatment. In refractory variceal bleeding episodes, balloon tamponade may be used as a temporary bridge to TIPS. Identification of patients that are at high risk of treatment failure may guide new strategies to improve outcomes. Indeed, a recent trial has shown that placement of TIPS, using covered stents, within 72 hours of admission in patients at high risk of treatment failure (i.e., those Child B with active bleeding or Child C less than 14 points) markedly decreased rebleeding and improved survival.     

A randomized controlled trial comparing ligation and sclerotherapy as emergency endoscopic treatment added to somatostatin in acute variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The currently recommended treatment for acute variceal bleeding is the association of vasoactive drugs and endoscopic therapy. However, which emergency endoscopic treatment combines better with drugs has not been clarified. This study compares the efficacy and safety of variceal ligation and sclerotherapy as emergency endoscopic treatment added to somatostatin. METHODS: Patients admitted with acute gastrointestinal bleeding and with suspected cirrhosis received somatostatin infusion (for 5 days). Endoscopy was performed within 6h and those with esophageal variceal bleeding were randomized to receive either sclerotherapy (N=89) or ligation (N=90). RESULTS: Therapeutic failure occurred in 21 patients treated with sclerotherapy (24%) and in nine treated with ligation (10%) (RR=2.4, 95% CI=1.1-4.9). Failure to control bleeding occurred in 15% vs 4%, respectively (P=0.02). Treatment group, shock and HVPG >16 mmHg were independent predictors of failure. Side-effects occurred in 28% of patients receiving sclerotherapy vs 14% with ligation (RR=1.9, 95% CI=1.1-3.5), being serious in 13% vs 4% (P=0.04). Six-week survival probability without therapeutic failure was better with ligation (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of variceal ligation instead of sclerotherapy as emergency endoscopic therapy added to somatostatin for the treatment of acute variceal bleeding significantly improves the efficacy and safety.     

食管静脉曲张破裂出血的急诊治疗进展

食管静脉曲张破裂出血是肝硬化门静脉高压症严重的并发症之一,也是患者死亡的主要原因。研究分析表明,内镜治疗和血管活性药物治疗在急诊止血率、病死率和再出血率疗效方面没有明显差别。阐述了食管静脉曲张破裂出血的急诊治疗进展,主要包括内镜下套扎疗法、硬化疗法和血管活性药物使用,重点探讨了食道静脉曲张破裂出血的急诊内镜治疗和药物治疗的选择。     

Emergency sclerotherapy versus vasoactive drugs for variceal bleeding in cirrhosis: a Cochrane meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Emergency sclerotherapy is used as a first-line therapy for variceal bleeding in cirrhosis, although pharmacologic treatment stops bleeding in most patients. We performed a meta-analysis comparing emergency sclerotherapy with pharmacologic treatment. METHODS: MEDLINE (1968-2002), EMBASE (1986-2002), and the Cochrane Library (2002;4) were searched to retrieve randomized controlled trials comparing sclerotherapy with vasopressin (+/- nitroglycerin), terlipressin, somatostatin, or octreotide for variceal bleeding in cirrhosis. Outcome measures were failure to control bleeding, rebleeding, blood transfusions, adverse events, and mortality. RESULTS: Fifteen trials were identified. Sclerotherapy was not superior to terlipressin, somatostatin, or octreotide for any outcome and to vasopressin for rebleeding, blood transfusions, death, and adverse events; it was superior to vasopressin for the control of bleeding in a single trial flawed by a potential detection bias. Sclerotherapy was associated with significantly more adverse events than somatostatin. In a predefined sensitivity analysis, combining all of the trials irrespective of the control treatment, risk differences (sclerotherapy minus control) and confidence intervals (CIs) were as follows: failure to control bleeding, -0.03 (-0.06 to 0.01); mortality, -0.035 (-0.07 to 0.008); adverse events, 0.08 (0.02 to 0.14). Mortality risk difference was -0.01 (-0.07 to 0.04) in good-quality trials and -0.08 (-0.14 to -0.02) in poor-quality trials. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence does not support emergency sclerotherapy as the first-line treatment of variceal bleeding in cirrhosis when compared with vasoactive drugs, which control bleeding in 83% of patients. Therefore, endoscopic therapy might be added only in pharmacologic treatment failures.     

Endoscopic treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with noncirrhotic extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis: a long-term follow-up study

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastric variceal bleeding is the most important complication of extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EPVT) and is usually treated endoscopically. Little is known about the prognosis of these patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term clinical outcome and efficacy of endoscopic treatment in patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding secondary to EPVT. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTINGS: Single university center. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding, secondary to noncirrhotic, nonmalignant EPVT, who underwent endoscopic treatment between 1982 and 2005. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic band ligation and/or endoscopic sclerotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The overall rebleeding risk, overall survival, complications of the endoscopic procedures, and predictive values of rebleeding. Analyses were performed by the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate Cox regression. RESULTS: All patients were followed-up after the first endoscopically treated variceal bleeding. A total of 241 endoscopic procedures were performed. In all patients, initial control of bleeding was obtained. The overall rebleeding risk was 23% (95% CI, 0%-24%) at 1 year and 37% (95% CI, 43%-83%) at 5 years. Extension of thrombosis into the splenic vein and the presence of fundal varices were significant predictors of rebleeding, with a nearly 5-fold increased risk for patients with EPVT and fundal varices at the time of the first variceal hemorrhage (hazard ratio 5.07, P = .01). A portosystemic shunt procedure was performed in 5 patients: 4 for variceal bleeding and in one patient for refractory ascites. Seven patients died, none from variceal bleeding. Overall 5-year and 10-year survivals were 100% and 62% (95% CI, 38%-96%), respectively. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with variceal bleeding secondary to EPVT endoscopic treatment, in particular, band ligation appears safe and effective. EPVT-related mortality is primarily determined by other causes than variceal bleeding.     

Varizenblutung

Esophageal variceal bleeding remains the most feared complication of portal hypertension and is associated with a significant mortality; thus, endoscopic screening of these patients is recommended. To date, neither medical nor interventional therapy can prevent the development of varices. However, the risk of variceal bleeding can be reduced using nonselective beta-blockers. Endoscopic prophylaxis is only recommended for patients with large varices that do not tolerate sufficient beta-blocker therapy. Endoscopic variceal ligation in combination with antibiotic prophylaxis as well as vasoactive agents, such as terlipressin, are the treatment of choice in acute variceal hemorrhage. If these measures fail to stop variceal bleeding, alternatives that include local compression of varices using special self-expanding stents or by reducing portal venous pressure with transjugular portosystemic shunts should be evaluated. Secondary prophylaxis consists of endoscopic variceal ligation and medical reduction of portal venous pressure.     

Management of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Abstract Endoscopic therapy is the first treatment modality in the management algorithm of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. In treating bleeding peptic ulcers, diluted epinephrine is first injected followed by targeted treatment to the vessel. Combination therapy adding thermocoagulation or thrombin/fibrin products has been shown to further improve the rate of haemostasis. There is also some evidence to suggest that adjuvant use of optimal acid suppression using high-dose proton pump inhibitors can reduce recurrent bleeding after initial endoscopic control. In treating acute variceal haemorrhage, early administration of vasoactive agents facilitates endoscopic treatment. These drugs should be continued during and after endoscopic therapy to prevent recurrent in-hospital bleeding. Firm evidence exists to date that band ligation is the endoscopic treatment of choice in the acute control of bleeding varices and their secondary prophylaxis against recurrent bleeding. The role of band ligation as primary prophylaxis for first bleeding remains controversial. Transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunts are used as a rescue procedure when endoscopic treatment fails. In selected patients with recurrent variceal haemorrhage and good hepatic reserves, surgical shunts may be indicated.     

Portale Hypertension

Bleeding of gastro-oesophageal varices is one of the most serious complications of portal hypertension. An early endoscopic examination of patients with cirrhosis has become standard practice because direct measurement of portal pressure is not universally available. If varices are present prophylaxis to prevent bleeding can be achieved by non-selective betablocker therapy. In the face of contraindications or intolerance to this therapy, endoscopic band ligation is an alternative prevention strategy for high-risk patients. Acute variceal haemorrhaging can be controlled in about 90% of the cases by endoscopic sclerotherapy or band ligation. In addition, vasoactive drugs like octreotide or terlipressin can be used to reduce portal pressure and to control haemorrhaging. Prevention of recurrent bleeding can be achieved through a consistent band ligation. The most promising therapy for gastric variceal bleeding is the injection of histoacryl. In cases of endoscopic treatment failure, a balloon tamponade or a portosystemic shunt are rescue treatment options.     

Endoscopic band ligation in the treatment of portal hypertension

The evidence that endoscopic band ligation (EBL) has greater efficacy and fewer side effects than endoscopic injection sclerotherapy has renewed interest in endoscopic treatments for portal hypertension. The introduction of multishot band devices, which allow the placement of 5-10 bands at a time, has made the technique much easier to perform, avoiding the use of overtubes and their related complications. EBL sessions are usually repeated at 2 week intervals until varices are obliterated, which is achieved in about 90% of patients after 2-4 sessions. Variceal recurrence is frequent, with 20-75% of patients requiring repeated EBL sessions. According to current evidence, nonselective beta-blockers are the preferred treatment option for prevention of a first variceal bleed, whereas EBL should be reserved for patients with contraindications or intolerance to beta-blockers. Nonselective beta-blockers, probably in association with the vasodilator isosorbide mononitrate, and EBL are good treatment options to prevent recurrent variceal rebleeding. The efficacy of EBL might be increased by combining it with beta-blocker therapy. Patients who are intolerant, have contraindications or bled while receiving primary prophylaxis with beta-blockers must be treated with EBL. In the latter situation, EBL should be added to rather than replace beta-blocker therapy. EBL, in combination with vasoactive drugs, is the recommended form of therapy for acute esophageal variceal bleeding; however, endoscopic injection sclerotherapy can be used in the acute setting if EBL is technically difficult.