Skip to main content

Mechanism and Pathophysiology of Bleeding from Esophagogastric Varices

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Clinical Investigation of Portal Hypertension
  • 1059 Accesses

Abstract

Bleeding from ruptured esophagogastric varices is the main complication of portal hypertension and a major cause of death. The risk factors of variceal bleeding have been reported but are still debated. Variceal hemorrhage can be caused by various factors including topical, portal hemodynamic, and systemic factors.

A hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) of 10–12 mmHg is required for the development of varices. Furthermore, an HVPG > 12 mmHg is necessary for the occurrence of variceal hemorrhage. Factors that further increase variceal wall tension causing it to reach a threshold and develop a topical mucosal disorder of varices may induce variceal hemorrhage. Considering these factors, management of esophagogastric varices must be performed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Japanese Research Society for Portal Hypertension. The general rules for recording endoscopic findings on esophageal varices. Jpn J Surg. 1980;10:84–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Beppu K, Inokuchi K, Koyanagi N, Nakayama S, Sakata H, Kitano S, et al. Prediction of variceal hemorrhage by esophageal endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 1981;27:213–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. The North Italian Endoscopic Club for the Study and Treatment of Esophageal Varices. Prediction of the first variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and esophageal varices. A prospective multicenter study. N Engl J Med. 1988;319:983–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kim T, Shijo H, Kokawa H, Tokumitsu H, Kubara K, Ota K, et al. Risk factors for hemorrhage from gastric fundal varices. Hepatology. 1997;25:307–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Arakawa M, Kage M. The Anatomy and pathomorphology of esophageal varices. In: Okuda K, editor. Portal hypertension. Tokyo: Springer; 1991. p. 415–28.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  6. Hidaka H, Nakazawa T, Wang G, Kokubu S, Minamino T, Takada J, et al. Long-term administration of PPI reduces treatment failures after esophageal variceal band ligation: a randomized, controlled trial. J Gastroenterol. 2012;47:118–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Sakamoto Y, Oho K, Toyonaga A, Kumamoto M, Haruta T, Inoue H, et al. Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013;28:1444–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Iijima K, Sekine H, Koike T, Imatani A, Ohara S, Shimosegawa T. Serum pepsinogen concentrations as a measure of gastric acid secretion in Helicobacter pylori-negative and -positive Japanese subjects. J Gastroenterol. 2005;40:938–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ledinghen VD, Heresbach D, Fourdan O, Bernard P, Liebaert-Bories M, Nousbaum J, et al. Anti-inflammatory drugs and variceal bleeding: a case-control study. Gut. 1999;44:270–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Yoshida H, Mamada Y, Taniai N, Mineta S, Kawano Y, Mizuguchi Y, et al. Interactions between anti-ulcer drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cirrhotic patients with bleeding esophagogastric varices. Hepatogastroenterology. 2009;56:1366–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Garcia-Tsao G, Groszmann RJ, Fisher RL, Conn HO, Atterbury CE, Glickman M. Portal pressure, presence of gastroesophageal varices and variceal bleeding. Hepatology. 1985;5:419–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Iwao T, Toyonaga A, Sumino M, Takagi K, Oho K, Sakaki M, et al. Development of gastroesophageal varices and risk of variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. Dig Endosc. 1991;3:485–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Tripathi D, Therapondos G, Jackson E, Redhead DN, Hayes PC. The role of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS) in the management of bleeding gastric varices: clinical and haemodynamic correlations. Gut. 2002;51:270–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. García-Pagán JC, Feu F, Castells A, Luca A, Hermida RC, Rivera F, et al. Circadian variations of portal pressure and variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis. Hepatology. 1994;9:595–601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Iwao T, Oho K, Sakai T, Sato M, Nakano R, Yamawaki M, et al. Upright posture decreases esophageal varices blood flow velocity in patients with cirrhosis. J Hepatol. 1998;28:447–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Iwao T, Oho K, Nakano R, Yamawaki M, Sakai T, Sato M, et al. Upright posture blunts postprandial splanchnic hyperemia in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. J Gastroenterol. 1999;34:359–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Polio J, Groszmann RJ. Hemodynamic factors involved in the development and rupture of esophageal varices: a pathophysiologic approach to treatment. Semin Liver Dis. 1986;96:318–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Rigau J, Bosch J, Bordas JM, Navasa M, Mastair R, Kravetz D, et al. Endoscopic measurement of variceal pressure in cirrhosis: correlation with portal pressure and variceal hemorrhage. Gastroenterology. 1989;96:873–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kleber G, Sauerbruch T, Fischer G, Paumgartner G. Pressure of intraoesophageal varices assessed by fine needle puncture: its relation to endoscopic signs and severity of liver disease in patients with cirrhosis. Gut. 1989;30:228–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Luca A, Cirera I, Garcia-Pagan JC, Feu F, Pizcueta P, Bosch J, et al. Hemodynamic effects of acute changes in intra-abdominal pressure in patients with cirrhosis. Gastroenterology. 1993;104:222–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Kravetz D, Bildzola M, Argonz J, Romero G, Korula J, Munoz A, et al. Patients with ascites have higher variceal pressure and wall tension than patients without ascites. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:1770–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kravetz D, Romero G, Argonz J, Guevara M, Suarez A, Abecasis R, et al. Total volume paracentesis decreases variceal pressure, size, and variceal wall tension in cirrhotic patients. Hepatology. 1997;25:59–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Goulis J, Armonis A, Patch D, Sabin C, Greenslade L, Burroughs AK. Bacterial infection is independently associated with failure to control bleeding in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Hepatology. 1998;27:1207–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kazuhiko Oho .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Oho, K. (2019). Mechanism and Pathophysiology of Bleeding from Esophagogastric Varices. In: Obara, K. (eds) Clinical Investigation of Portal Hypertension. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7425-7_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7425-7_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7424-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7425-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics