Related Media: Upper GI Endoscopy

Definition

Esophageal varices are abnormally swollen veins in the lining of the tube (esophagus) that goes from the mouth to the stomach.

The Esophagus Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Portal hypertension is when pressure builds in the veins that bring blood to the liver. The pressure causes blood to back up into other smaller blood vessels, such as those found in the esophagus. This leads to varices.

This may happen due to:

• Blood clots of the splenic, portal, or hepatic veins
• Certain infections
• Abnormal connections between the arteries and veins in the liver or spleen
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Severe heart failure
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Sarcoidosis

Risk Factors

Things that raise the risk of this problem are:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Obesity
• Having other conditions linked to liver disease, such as ascites or liver cancer

Symptoms

A person may not have problems until bleeding starts. Bleeding may not be serious. It may also stop on its own. Signs of bleeding are:

• Vomiting or coughing up blood that may look like coffee grounds
• Red, tarry, or very dark stools
• Light-headedness
• Rapid heartbeat

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical may be done.

The esophagus may need to be viewed. This can be done with:

• An upper GI endoscopy to look at the structures from the back of the throat to the stomach
• Ultrasound
• CT scan

Treatment

The goal is to prevent or stop varices from bleeding. Choices are:

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to lower the risk of this problem.