DIAGNOSTIC MODALITIES AND ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT OF ESOPHAGOGASTRIC VARICES BASED ON PORTAL HEMODYNAMICS

Abstract

Esophageal and gastric varices occur in association with various background diseases that cause portal hypertension, such as liver cirrhosis and idiopathic portal hypertension. Treatment of esophageal and gastric varices may affect the pathophysiology of the background disease. Therefore, the treatment should be based on a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology and hemodynamics of the patientʼs background disease. In this article, we describe diagnostic methods for understanding the hemodynamics of esophageal and gastric varices, as well as appropriate endoscopic treatment methods that take these hemodynamics into account.