Embolization of bleeding esophageal varices via umbilical vein. An alternative approach.

Embolization of bleeding esophageal varices via the umbilical vein can be used as an alternative technique to percutaneous transhepatic coronary vein occlusion (PTCVO). Both techniques can stop acute bleeding from esophageal varices and allow the cirrhotic patient with portal hypertension to be prepared for an elective rather than an emergency shunt. Embolization via the umbilical vein can be performed with a patient under local anesthesia, can be effective when other methods fail, and can be done safely in the presence of both ascites and a bleeding diathesis, which are two contraindications to PTCVO.