Endoscopic management of acute esophageal variceal bleeding

Esophageal varices develop in the setting of portal hypertension, most commonly caused by cirrhosis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is considered the gold standard for both diagnosis and treatment of acute variceal bleeding. In this review, we highlight the management of both acute and refractory bleeding from esophageal varices, with an emphasis on endoscopic therapies, including injection sclerotherapy, band ligation, and esophageal stent placement.