Follow-up of patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices treated with percutaneous obliteration of gastric coronary vein.

Percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein was performed in 21 patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices. Coronary and short gastric veins were selectively catheterized and obliterated. The examination was performed to stop bleeding in 6 patients and was successful in 5. Follow-up examination showed recanalization of previously obliterated veins in 13 of 16 patients.