Esophageal variceal pressure by endoscopic pneumatic pressure sensor in patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

The esophageal variceal pressure was determined by endoscopic pneumatic pressure sensor method in patients with liver cirrhosis, complicating esophageal varices. The variceal pressure by this method was significantly correlated with percutaneous transhepatic portal venous pressure. The variceal pressure was related with endoscopic findings of varices, especially of red-color sign, form and location. The variceal pressure below 200mmH₂O showed negligible risk of variceal bleeding, and the pressure over 350mmH₂O was associated with high risk of variceal bleeding. These results indicate that esophageal variceal pressure by this method may provide useful informations in natural history of esophageal varices.