[The role of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in evaluation of portal hypertension].

UNLABELLED

Portal hypertension is the main cause of complications of hepatic diseases determining portosystemic collateral circulation, ascites and gastroesophageal varices. Aim of the study is to review current opinions and to correlate clinical and endoscopic signs determined by portal hypertension.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study on 150 patients diagnosed and treated for diseases associated with portal hypertension at the Institute of Hepatology and Gastroenterology from Iaşi between 2007 and 2009.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Most of the patients presented with cirrhosis (112 cases) mainly of toxic (63 cases) and viral (31 cases) etiology. In order to appreciate bleeding from esophageal varices we applied Forrest criteria and identified type Ia bleeding in 26,6% of cases and type Ib bleeding at 73,4% of patients. In 15% of cases, variceal bleeding represented the first symptom of slowly progressing hepatic cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The objective of subsequent evaluation of small varices is detecting size increase, an important prognostic and therapeutic index.