Variceal Hemorrhage

Roberto de Franchis, MD, AGAF University of Milan, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Gastroenterology Unit, Milan, Italy. Alessandra Dell’Era, MD University of Milan, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Gastroenterology Unit, Milan, Italy.

Pathophysiology of Portal Hypertension.- Natural History and Stages of Cirrhosis.- Diagnosis of Esophageal Varices.- Assessing the Risk of Bleeding.- Prevention of the Formation and Growth of Esophageal Varices.- Beta-Blockers for All or Not.- Pre-Primary and Primary Prophylaxis of Variceal Hemorrhage.- HVPG-Guided Prophylaxis.- Transfusion Policy.- Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Acute Variceal Hemorrhage.- Use of Vasoactive Drugs for Acute Variceal Bleeding.- Endoscopic Treatment of Acute Variceal Bleeding.- TIPS:  Primary Therapy or Rescue in Treatment of Acute Variceal Hemorrhage.- How to Manage Gastric and Ectopic Varices.- Should We Be Concerned About Coagulation in the Treatment of Acute Variceal Hemorrhage?.- Variceal Rebleeding: Drugs, Endoscopy, or Both.- Role of TIPS and Surgery in Prevention of Rebleeding.- Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Vascular Liver Disease.