[Hemorrhaging esophageal varices--Drug therapy and endoscopic sclerosing of varices].

Acute bleeding from esophageal varices is complicated by a mortality rate of 30-80%, which is reduced by sclerosing therapy to 20-38%. Sclerosing therapy also prevents recurrent bleeds, long-term survival rate seems not to be improved significantly. The decision to shunt procedures after recompensation of liver function is still discussed controversially .