Abstract

Variceal hemorrhage is a lethal complication of cirrhosis, particularly in patients in whom clinical decompensation (i.e., ascites, encephalopathy, a previous episode of hemorrhage, or jaundice) has already developed. Practice guidelines for the management of varices and variceal hemorrhage1 in cirrhosis are mostly based on evidence in the literature that has been summarized and prioritized at consensus conferences.2,3 There are three main areas of management: primary prophylaxis to prevent a first episode of variceal hemorrhage, treatment of the acute bleeding episode, and secondary prophylaxis (prevention of recurrent variceal hemorrhage).

fulltext: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/362/9/823