Varices and related hemorrhage
Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis should undergo evaluation
to assess the presence of varices and to determine the risk
of variceal hemorrhage.To prevent varices and a first
variceal bleeding, nonselective beta blockers are recommended
for small varices which have a high risk of bleeding
or varices in Child–Pugh B or C cirrhosis. Furthermore,
nonselective beta blockers or endoscopic band ligation are
suggested for medium or large varices.For treatment of
acute variceal bleeding, combination of vasoconstrictor and
endoscopic band ligation are recommended for Child–Pugh A
or B patients or patients with an hepatic venous pressure
gradient (HVPG) of less than 20 mmHg,together with
short-term prophylactic norfloxacin
or ceftriaxone.
In patients with Child–Pugh C or an HVPG of more than
20 mmHg, more aggressive treatment should be considered.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is a salvage
therapy for patients who responded poorly to previous treatment,
and early placement is suggested. Endoscopic variceal
obturation with butyl cyanoacrylate is recommended for
acute bleeding of gastric varices.To prevent recurrent
variceal bleeding, a combination of endoscopic band ligation
and nonselective beta-blockers is recommended.