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. 2001 Feb;77(904):75–81. doi: 10.1136/pmj.77.904.75

Modern management of oesophageal varices

P Gow 1, R Chapman 1
PMCID: PMC1741921  PMID: 11161071

Abstract

Haemorrhage from oesophageal varices is a life threatening emergency with a mortality rate in the order of 30%-50%. In the last three decades there have been many advances in the treatment and prevention of variceal bleeding. Over recent years the introduction of new pharmaceutical agents that reduce portal pressure, endoscopic variceal ligation, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and the availability of liver transplantation have further increased the therapeutic options available to the physician treating this disorder. This article reviews the literature regarding therapies available in the treatment of haemorrhage from oesophageal varices and provides guidelines to aid the physicians in clinical decision making.


Keywords: oesophageal varices; portal hypertension; transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS); liver transplantation

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Selected References

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