Esophageal Varices Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Learn About Esophageal Varices

What is the definition of Esophageal Varices?

Esophageal varices is a condition in which enlarged (varicose) veins develop in the lower esophagus (swallowing tube that connects mouth to stomach). Esophageal varices frequently occur in individuals with serious liver diseases, such as cirrhosis (liver scaring and fibrosis), who have developed portal hypertension (high blood pressure in portal vein). Esophageal varices can also be caused by parasitic liver diseases, such as schistosomiasis (flatworms). Esophageal varices can rupture and cause dangerous bleeding (hemorrhage).

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What are the symptoms of Esophageal Varices?

Esophageal varices often do not have any symptoms until they bleed. Symptoms of bleeding esophageal varices include vomiting large quantities of blood, black, tarry or bloody stools, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Since individuals with esophageal varices also usually have liver disease, such as cirrhosis, additional symptoms may include yellowing of the mucous membranes, skin, and whites of the eyes (jaundice), bruising easily, and fluid in the abdomen (ascites).

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What are the current treatments for Esophageal Varices?

Treatment for bleeding esophageal varices include endoscopic band ligations (use of rubber bands to restrict blood flow to varices); medications to slow bleeding, such as octreotide (Sandostatin) and vasopressin (Vasostrict); sclerotherapy (drugs injected into the varices to constrict blood flow); balloon tamponade, or self-expanding metal stents (SEMS), which are used to apply pressure to the varices; transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), in which a shunt is created between the portal and hepatic veins to stop the bleeding; transfusions; and antibiotics. Patients with bleeding esophageal varices and severe liver disease may be considered for liver transplantation. Medications such as beta blockers may be administered to prevent re-bleeding.

Who are the top Esophageal Varices Local Doctors?

Ioan Sporea

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Victor Babeş University Of Medicine And Pharmacy

Timisoara, TM, RO

Ioan Sporea is in Timisoara, Romania. Sporea is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Varices. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cirrhosis, Esophageal Varices, Portal Hypertension, and Varicose Veins.

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Horia O. Stefanescu

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Regional Institute Of Gastroenterology And Hepatology

Cluj-napoca, CJ, RO

Horia Stefanescu is in Cluj-napoca, Romania. Stefanescu is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Varices. They are also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Portal Hypertension, Esophageal Varices, Varicose Veins, and Cirrhosis.

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Hitoshi Maruyama

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Graduate School Of Medicine, Chiba University

Fukuoka, JP

Hitoshi Maruyama is in Fukuoka, Japan. Maruyama is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Varices. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Esophageal Varices, Portal Hypertension, Cirrhosis, and Varicose Veins.

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What are the latest Esophageal Varices Clinical Trials?

Scleroligation is a Safe and Effective New Technique for Eradication of Gastroesophageal Varices.

Who is this study for: Patients with Gastroesophageal Cancer

Status: Recruiting

Start Date: January 2015

Intervention Type: Procedure

Phase: Phase 3

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Summary: Gastric varices occur in 5-33% of patients with portal hypertension. Concomitant gastro esophageal varices are the most common type. Both endoscopic sclerotherapy and band ligation are very effective in controlling acute esophageal varices bleeding and preventing rebleeding.

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Efficacy of Early Administration of Tranexamic Acid in Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Who is this study for: Patients with Gastro Intestinal Bleeding

Status: Recruiting

Start Date: November 1, 2020

Intervention Type: Drug, Other

Phase: Phase 3

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Summary: Upper Gastrointestinal bleed is a common presentation in a medical emergency. Patients generally present with hematemesis, melena or in severe cases hematochezia. Incidence and etiology vary from region as well as the level of health care facility. In the US, UGI bleed accountsfor about 300000 admissions per year (6). India has a huge burden of UGI bleed. A study in India showed 4.6% of hospitalad...

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What are the Latest Advances for Esophageal Varices?

Plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration via gastrocaval shunt for the gastric variceal bleeding: A case report.

Condition: Gastric Variceal Bleeding

Journal: Medicine

Treatment Used: Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration via Gastrocaval Shunt

Number of Patients: 1

Published: December 10, 2021

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Summary: This study reports a case of gastric variceal bleeding treated with plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) via a gastrocaval shunt.

Endoscopic Treatment of Gastric and Ectopic Varices.

Condition: Gastric and Ectopic Varices

Journal: Clinics in liver disease

Treatment Used: Endoscopic Treatment

Number of Patients: 0

Published: November 22, 2021

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Summary: This article discusses endoscopic treatment for patients with gastric and ectopic varices.

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Endoscopic Treatment of Esophageal Varices.

Condition: Esophageal Varices