Risk Factors for the Presence of Varices in Cirrhotic Patients Without a History of Variceal Hemorrhage

Abstract

CHRONIC LIVER disease is the 10th leading cause of death in adults in the United States, accounting for approximately 25 000 deaths annually (1% of all deaths).¹ Cirrhosis is considered the most advanced stage of chronic liver disease. Several complications are related to advanced liver disease, including the development of variceal hemorrhage, portosystemic encephalopathy, and ascites. Variceal hemorrhage is a consequence of the development of portal hypertension, which is the most common and severe complication in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Portal hypertension develops in cirrhosis because of an increase in splanchnic blood flow secondary to vasodilation within the splanchnic vascular bed and because of increased resistance to the passage of blood through the liver.²