Transhepatic embolisation of gastro-oesophageal varices in the management of variceal haemorrhage.

The difficulty of controlling variceal haemorrhage has led to the recent development of methods designed to sclerose the bleeding vessels. This study describes the application of percutaneous transhepatic portal catheterization with embolisation and sclerosis of varices in eight consecutive patients admitted with bleeding oesophago-gastric varices. Portal hypertension was documented and varices demonstrated in each case. Bleeding ceased rapidly in seven patients, two patients rebled 1-3 weeks after the procedure, and five patients were subsequently discharged from hospital. In no instance was death related to continued gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Initial experience with transheptic embolisation of bleeding oesophago-gastric varices indicates that this technique is effective in controlling variceal haemorrhage.