[Epidemiology and predictability of variceal hemorrhage].

Up to 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis develop esophageal variceal bleeding which is lethal in up to 30% after the first bleeding episode. Parameters suitable to identify patients being on risk to bleed from their varices are severe liver disease (Child's C), large varices with red color sign and red wall markings and high intra-variceal pressure above 12 mmHg.