Dilated submucosal esophageal veins connecting the portal and systemic circulations
Most commonly results from portal hypertension (typically a result of cirrhosis)
Variceal rupture: m...
First indication of varices is often GI bleeding: hematemesis, hematochezia, and/or melena.
Occult bleeding (anemia): uncommon
Underlying history of cirrhosis/liver disease. Variceal bl...
Treat underlying cirrhotic comorbidities.
Variceal bleeding is often complicated by hepatic encephalopathy and infection.
Active bleeding (2)
IV access, hemodynamic resuscitati...
Endoscopic variceal ligation, every 1 to 4 weeks, until varices eradicated
If TIPS, repeat endoscopy to assess rebleeding.
Endoscopic screening in...
I85.0 Esophageal varices
I85 Esophageal varices
I85.1 Secondary esophageal varices
I85.01 Esophageal varices with bleeding
I85.00 Esophageal varices without bleeding
I85.11 Secondary esophageal ...
Thrombocytopenia is the most sensitive marker of increased portal pressure and large esophageal varices.
Roughly half of all patients with cirrhosis will have esophageal varices. One in...
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<bold>Fig GI 6-8 Esophageal varices.</bold>
<bold><italic>Figure 15-8</bold> Esophageal varices.</bold> Veins in this postmortem specimen are much smaller than during life. The patient had portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis of the liver.
<bold><italic>Figure 15-8</bold> Esophageal varices.</bold> Veins in this postmortem specimen are much smaller tha...
Varicose Veins
FIG. 8.6. Esophageal varices. Note the broad, tortuous radiolucent bands running throughout the length of the esophagus. These are characteristic of esophageal varices.
FIG. 8.6. Esophageal varices. Note the broad, tortuous radiolucent bands running throughout the length of the esophagus. These are charact...
Chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis. A photomicrograph of the liver from a patient with long-standing chronic active hepatitis B shows hepatocellular nodules and chronically inflamed fibrous septa.
Chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis. A photomicrograph of the liver from a patient with long-standing chronic active hepatitis B shows hepato...
varicosis: in a healthy vein the valves allow blood to travel toward heart (A) while keeping blood from flowing back away from heart (B); valves in varicose veins (C) no longer function properly, thus allowing blood to travel back toward extremities, (D) photograph of leg with varicose veins
varicosis: in a healthy vein the valves allow blood to travel toward heart (A) while keeping blood from flowing back away from heart (B);...
Alcoholic cirrhosis. The surface of the liver displays innumerable small, regular nodules.
Alcoholic cirrhosis. A photomicrograph shows small regular nodules surrounded by uniform fibrous septa.
Cirrhosis of the liver. The consequence of chronic hepatic injury is the formation of regenerating nodules separated by bands of fibrous connective tissue (blue).
Cirrhosis of the liver. The consequence of chronic hepatic injury is the formation of regenerating nodules separated by bands of fibrous co...