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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough many people with advanced liver disease develop esophageal varices, most won't experience bleeding. Varices are more likely to bleed if you have:
- High portal vein pressure. The risk of bleeding increases with the amount of pressure in the portal vein.
- Large varices. The larger the varices, the more likely they are to bleed.
- Red marks on the varices. When viewed through an endoscope — a lighted tube that's passed down your throat — some varices show long, red streaks or red spots. These marks indicate a high risk of bleeding.
- Severe cirrhosis or liver failure. Most often, the more severe your liver disease, the more likely varices are to bleed.
- Continued alcohol use. If your liver disease is alcohol related, your risk of variceal bleeding is far greater if you continue to drink than if you stop.
References
- Shah VH, et al. Portal hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed Sept. 12, 2010.
- Prevention and management of gastroesophageal varices and variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis. Alexandria, Va.: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://www.aasld.org/practiceguidelines/Documents/Bookmarked%20Practice%20Guidelines/Prevention%20and%20Management%20of%20Gastro%20Varices%20and%20Hemorrhage.pdf. Accessed Sept. 12, 2010.
- Cirrhosis. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Sept. 12, 2010.
- Schistosomiasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/schistosomiasis/factsht_schistosomiasis.htm. Accessed Sept. 12, 2010.
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