Varices

Question 1

What are varcies?

Answer 1

Dilated veins

Can rupture easily resulting in a massive upper GI bleed

Question 2

Oesophageal varices

Answer 2

Dilated veins at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach as this is a site of an anastomoses between the systemic and portal venous systems

Question 3

Causes

Answer 3

Cirrhosis
Portal hypertension
Liver failure

Question 4

Management

Answer 4

Resuscitation
Urgent endoscopy
Vasoconstrictor drugs - terlipressin
Band ligation - to stop bleeding
Sclerotherapy - injection to produce vessel thrombosis
Sengstaken Blakemore balloon - if banding doesn’t work
TIPS - stent

Question 5

Secondary prevention

Answer 5

Propranolol (B-blocker)