Liam Howley

I. What every physician needs to know. Gastoesophageal varices occur in 30-40% of compensated cirrhotic patients and 60% of uncompensated cirrhotics. They cause 70% of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding episodes in patients with liver cirrhosis. Mortality has improved to 15-20% for those that receive therapy. Gastroesophageal varices form due to portal hypertension, usually when the…