Unpacking the challenge of gastric varices: A review on indication, timing and modality of therapy

Karl Vaz; Marios Efthymiou; Rhys Vaughan; Adam G Testro; Hin-Boon Lew; Leonardo Zorron Cheng Tao Pu; Sujievvan Chandran

doi:10.4254/wjh.v13.i8.868

Unpacking the challenge of gastric varices: A review on indication, timing and modality of therapy

World J Hepatol. 2021 Aug 27;13(8):868-878. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i8.868.

Authors

Karl Vaz¹, Marios Efthymiou², Rhys Vaughan², Adam G Testro², Hin-Boon Lew³, Leonardo Zorron Cheng Tao Pu², Sujievvan Chandran²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia. karl.vaz@austin.org.au.
² Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia.
³ Department of Radiology, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from oesophageal or gastric varices is an important medical condition in patients with portal hypertension. Despite the emergence of a number of novel endoscopic and radiologic therapies for oesophagogastric varices, controversy exists regarding the indication, timing and modality of therapy. The aim of this review is to provide a concise and practical evidence-based overview of these issues.

Keywords: Balloon-occlusion retrograde transvenous obliteration; Gastric varices; Portal hypertension; Sclerotherapy; Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; Upper gastrointestinal bleeding; Variceal band ligation; Variceal obliteration.

Publication types

Review