Periprocedural management of acute variceal bleeding

Acute variceal hemorrhage is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis and certain non-cirrhotic conditions. The incidence of esophagogastric varices ranges from 20%-80% among cirrhotic patients, establishing it as a well-known health concern. Management of variceal bleeding has advanced over the past 30 years but an overall mortality rate of 10%-20% remains. Patient death is often due to complications of hemodynamic instability, coagulopathy, infection, malnutrition, or subsequent rebleeding. Herein, we highlight the periprocedural management of variceal hemorrhage and its complications.