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Esophageal varices seven days after banding, showing ulceration at the site of banding. The upper two thirds of the esophagus are drained via the esophageal veins, which carry deoxygenated blood from the esophagus to the azygos vein, which in turn drains directly into the superior vena cava.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by peptic ulcers, gastric erosions, esophageal varices, and rarer causes such as gastric cancer. The initial assessment includes measurement of the blood pressure and heart rate, as well as blood tests to determine the hemoglobin.
Forrest's classification is instrumental when stratifying patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage into high and low risk categories for mortality.It is also a significant method of prediction of the risk of rebleeding and very often is used for evaluation of the endoscopic intervention modalities. [3]
Endoscopic image of esophageal varices being ligated with rubber bands. The varix being ligated has a longitudinal red mark on it, termed the wale mark. A wale mark, red wale sign or wale sign is an endoscopic sign suggestive of recent hemorrhage, or propensity to bleed, seen in individuals with esophageal varices at the time of endoscopy.
Patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy may experience bleeding from the stomach, which may uncommonly manifest itself in vomiting blood or melena; however, portal hypertension may cause several other more common sources of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as esophageal varices and gastric varices. On endoscopic evaluation of the ...
Esophageal varices and gastric varices result from collateral circulation in the esophagus and stomach (a process called portacaval anastomosis). [40] When the blood vessels in this circulation become enlarged, they are called varices. Varices are more likely to rupture at this point. [9] Variceal rupture often leads to severe bleeding, which ...
TIPS is a life-saving procedure in bleeding from esophageal or gastric varices. A randomized study showed that the survival is better if the procedure is done within 72 hours after bleeding. [2] TIPS has shown some promise for people with hepatorenal syndrome. [3] It may also help with ascites. [4]
The esophageal branch of the left gastric vein drains into the azygos vein. In cases of portal hypertension, this communication allows for blood to bypass the portal vein and reach systemic circulation. As a result of this anastomosis, development of esophageal and paraesophageal varices is possible. [3]