Esophageal varices-
Abnormal veins in the lower part of the tube running from the throat to the stomach.
Varices are veins that are enlarged or swollen.
Develop- In People with serious liver disease.
Normal blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot or scar tissue in the liver.
Blood flows begins to back up
So increasing pressure within large vein (Portal vein) that carries blood to your liver
Blood flows into smaller vessels (lowest part of esophagus) that aren’t designed to carry large volume of blood.
These thin walled veins balloon with the added blood
Develop esophageal varices
Sometimes Vessels can leak blood or even rupture.
Causes of esophageal varices include-
Severe Liver Scarring (cirrhosis)- hepatitis, infection, Alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver disease
Blood clots (thrombosis) - in portal vein, splenic vein
A parasitic infection- damage liver, lungs, intestine.
Tumor , Ca+ esophagus
Risk Factors-
People with advance liver disease develop esophageal varices, most won’t have bleeding.
Varices bleed if-
High Portal Pressure
Large varices
Red Marks on the varices during endoscopic examination
Severe cirrhosis or liver failure
Continued alcohol use
Symptoms- Usually don’t show sign & symptoms unless they bleed.
If bleed then-
Blood in Vomiting (hematemesis)
Lightheadedness
Dysphagia
Loss of consciousness( in severe case)
Complications-
Bleeding (most Serious)
Shock
Death
Self management-
Don’t drink Alcohol
Healthy diet- plant based (whole grains , fruits, )
Avoid- Fatty & fried foods
Reduce your risk of hepatitis
Medications to reduce pressure in portal vein-
Beta- blocker(Propranolol)
Antibiotics - Quinolone or Ceftriaxone
IV Fluids
BT
Treatment-
In emergency-
Stopping blood loss- Variceal Ligation or elastic Banding
maintaining Plasma Volume
correcting Cirrhosis- if needed liver transplantation
Sclerotherapy
TIPS (Trans jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt)- The shunt is an opening that is created between the portal vein and the hepatic vein, which carries blood from your liver to your heart.
#esophagealvarices #esophageal #esophagus
Some important links-
1- • Surgical Anatomy of Es...
surgucal anatomy of esophagus
2- • Congenital Anomalies O...
congenital anomalies of esophagus part-1
3- • Congenital Anomalies o...
congenital anomalies of esophagus part-2
4- • Acid Reflux in Hindi |...
GERD
5- • Esophagus Cancer in Hi...
carcinoma of esophagus
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