Esophageal Varices

The most common presentation is hematemesis and there could also be melena. Other symptoms are abdominal pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, and other features of liver disease or underlying medical condition. They could also present in confusion secondary to hepatic encephalopathy. On physical examination, patient will be pale, hypotensive and could be in shock, with reduced urine output, and could be unconscious/subconscious. There would also be signs of liver disease and signs of overwhelming infection might also be seen.

• Laboratory investigations should include complete blood count which may show low hemoglobin level and platelet count. Blood should also be taken for clotting profile including INR. Renal and liver function tests should also be done and blood should be taken for grouping and cross-matching as patient may require transfusion. 
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the main investigation for diagnosis of this condition. It will show the location and size of the varices. If it is unavailable, a Doppler ultrasound can be done. Although it is a poor second choice, it can demonstrate varices when done by a skilled handler [7]. 
• Barium swallow and portal vein angiography and manometry should also be conducted. A chest X-ray should be done to exclude the possibility of aspiration and look for underlying chest infections. Ascitic tap for microscopy and culture is necessary if there are suspicions of bacterial peritonitis.

• Treatment can be medical and surgical. Medical management involves the use of splanchnic vasoconstrictors (like vasopressin, somatostatin and non-cardioselective beta blockers), venodilators (like nitrates) or a combination of both.
• Surgical management include endoscopic sclerotherapy and variceal band ligation. Ligation provides better control of hemorrhage and better outcomes but may be difficult to perform in a patient with active hemorrhage [8]. 
• If the above steps fail, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is used [9]. 
• A balloon tamponade could be used where TIPS is unavailable. It is very effective in stopping hemorrhage but carries a high risk of rebleeding and major complications when the balloon is removed.
• Patient may present needing emergency attention and emergency management to secure airway, breathing and proper circulation should be instituted immediately.

There is a recurrence rate of about 70% and up to 33% of a recurring hemorrhage will result in death. The highest risk of fatality is during the first few days after the bleeding episode and the risk begins to decline progressively after 6 weeks. There is about 65% mortality in patients with esophageal varices that could be attributed to associated disorders of the renal, cardiovascular and immune system [6].

Esophageal varices are caused by anything that can cause portal hypertension. Such cause could be prehepatic like portal vein thrombosis, portal vein obstruction and increased splenic flow. It could also be intrahepatic like liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, idiopathic portal hypertension and congenital hepatic fibrosis and posthepatic like Budd-Chiari syndrome, compression from a tumor and constrictive pericarditis.

Factors are also present which increase the risk for variceal bleeding and they include malnutrition, alcohol intake, decompensation of liver disease, increased intraabdominal pressure, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bacterial infection and circadian rhythms [2].

Esophageal varices account for up to 30% of all cases of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and they are seen in over 50% of patients with liver cirrhosis. Annually, up to 8% of patient with liver cirrhosis develop esophageal varices and the varices are large enough to have a risk of bleeding in about 3% of those that develop it. Up to 30% of patients with small varices will progressively develop large varices and are also therefore at a risk of bleeding. The mortality rate from esophageal variceal bleed is about 20% at 6 weeks although, in up to 40% of patients, bleeding stops spontaneously [3].

Portal hypertension develops in liver disease as a consequence of an increase in vascular resistance at either the prehepatic, intrahepatic or posthepatic levels. An increase in portal venous flow also contributes to the hypertension. Esophageal varices develop as the pressure in the portal vein continues to increase. The varices are small on the outset but as the hyperdynamic circulation increases, blood flow through the varices also increases and this raises the tension within the wall. When the expanding force exceeds the maximal wall elastic limit, there is rupture which will cause variceal hemorrhage. If the pressure in the portal vein does not reduce, then there is a risk of recurrence [4] [5].

There is no known method to prevent the formation of esophageal varices. Newly diagnosed patients with liver cirrhosis should be screened for varices. Varices can be treated with beta blockers and esophageal band ligation to significantly reduce the risk of bleeding [10].

Esophageal varices are porto-systemic collaterals. They are vascular channels that link the portal and systemic venous system and they form as a result of portal hypertension and are mostly seen in the lower one-third of the esophagus. The rupture of esophageal varices and subsequent bleeding is a major complication of portal hypertension. It is usually associated with a high mortality rate [1].

• Definition: Esophageal varices are dilated veins usually located at the lower end of the esophagus. They are usually as a result of liver disease which causes the pressure in the veins of the liver to increase. This condition could lead to death if these vessels rupture.
• Cause: The main causes are anything that will cause a liver disease. Some risk factors for formation of varices include chronic alcoholism, anything that will cause increased intraabdominal pressure, aspirin, NSAIDs, malnutrition and bacterial infections.
• Symptoms: The main symptoms is vomiting of pure blood and there could also be blood in the stool. Other symptoms are abdominal pain and pain on swallowing. There could also be symptoms arising due to the underlying liver disease like yellowness of the eyes and skin.
• Diagnosis: Diagnosis is usually confirmed by an endoscopic examination. This involves looking directly into the esophagus with a small camera. Ultrasound could be done if this is not available. Special X-rays and imaging of the blood vessels can also be done. Laboratory tests are done to check the blood level and cells, to check the kidney and liver function and also to prepare for possible blood transfusion.
• Treatment: Treatment involves the use of drugs to try and reduce the pressure in these veins. Surgery can also be done to either shrink the veins or tie them up to reduce the risk of bleeding.

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