Effect of Variceal Eradication on Portal Circulation

Overview

Study the effect of variceal eradication on portal circulation, liver stiffness and Child-Pugh and MELD scores in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Portosystemic collateral circulation is a consequence of portal hypertension, which occurs in chronic liver disease and is responsible for numerous complications. Gastric and oesophageal varices are two of common portosystemic collaterals, patients usually presented with hematemesis, melena, or both, ultimately 20% is the mortality during the first attack. Although both band ligation and sclerotherapy are effective modalities of treatment in controlling acute variceal bleeding, in preventing future variceal bleeding as well as in eradicating varices with very few complications , their effects on portal circulation have raised concerns among hepatologist. Information about collateral pathways is especially relevant when interventional procedures or surgery is indicated because inadvertent distribution of these vessels can cause significant bleeding. Few studies pointed on development of new portosystemic collaterals post variceal eradication depending on abdominal computed tomography (CT ) compared to pre-variceal eradication as showed paraoesophageal varices, retro-gastric varices not visualized with endoscopy ,or large deep gastric collaterals that may increase risk for rebleeding. Also, liver stiffness measurement and indirect markers of portal hypertension have been correlated with the severity of portal hypertension and have been used to predict the presence of varices, and there is rising question what about effect of variceal eradication on liver stiffness. The Child-Pugh and MELD scores were significantly higher for patients with gastric variceal bleeding , and the question here is variceal eradication can improve Child-Pugh and MELD scores or there is no effect.

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Central Contacts