Gastric Varices Treatment: Is it Possible to Individualise Therapy for Bleeding Patients

Review

Gastric Varices (GV) are present in 15-25% of cirrhotics with GOV1 and the primary gastric varices being the most common [1]. Gastric varices can also be present in patients with left sided portal hypertension. As compared to esophageal varices the incidence of gastric variceal bleeding is low (10-20%) and bleeding is not proportional to portal pressure as is noted in esophageal varices, with a re bleeding rate of 30% in GV [2,3]. The GV bleeding is difficult to control due to presence of a thick mucosal layer over the GV, which does not collapse after bleeding. With the advent of hemo dynamic studies in GV, there has been change in approach to management of GV.

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