Drug therapy of esophageal varices hemorrhage in portal hypertension

The author discusses the etiopathogenesis of portal hypertension and possibilities how to influence it during treatment of acute haemorrhage from varicosities and how to implement primary and secondary prevention. In treatment of acute haemorrhage the author recommends terlipresin, 1 mg every 4 hours. In primary and in particular in secondary prevention he emphasizes the necessity of early administration of beta-blockers.