Esophageal varices.

Bleeding from esophageal varices is related to the size and pressure of varices, endoscopic danger signs, and severity of liver failure. Prevention of bleeding with propranolol has given conflicting results in controlled trials, but is a safe treatment. Prophylactic sclerotherapy has been shown to reduce bleeding in European studies, but this has not been confirmed by studies in the United States. Acute variceal bleeding can usually be controlled by sclerotherapy, which may be supplemented by pharmacotherapy with vasopressin, nitroglycerin, or somatostatin. Recurrent bleeding is prevented initially by sclerotherapy, with surgery reserved for patients who have not responded to this treatment. Once bleeding has been controlled, the suitability and timing of hepatic transplantation must be considered.