Primary and secondary prophylaxis of esophageal variceal bleeding

Cirrhosis is a chronic condition with high-mortality. Portal hypertension (PH) is the initial and main consequence of cirrhosis and is responsible for most of its complications, including esophageal varices. A portal pressure, as determined by the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) >5 mm Hg defines PH. When the HVPG reaches 10 mm Hg or greater, the patient with compensated cirrhosis has developed clinically significant PH and is at a higher risk of developing varices and clinical decompensation. Patients with varices that have not bled are still in the compensated stage but are at a higher risk of decompensation than those without varices. Variceal hemorrhage constitutes a decompensating event, but its mortality differs whether it presents as an isolated complication of cirrhosis (20% 5-year mortality) or whether it presents in association with other complications (more than 80% 5-year mortality). While in the past, emphasis had been placed on managing the direct complications of PH, varices and variceal hemorrhage, it is now clear that these complications cannot be considered in an isolated manner. Rather, they should be considered in the context of advances in the staging of cirrhosis and other complications of cirrhosis that might occur concomitant or subsequent to the development of varices and variceal hemorrhage.