title: Oesophageal varices: prophylactic treatment?
abstract: Oesophageal varices: prophylactic treatment? Patients with oesophageal varices as a result of liver cirrhosis are at risk of bleeding from these varices. Because of the high mortality, specially from the first variceal haemorrhage, it would seem justified to pose the question: does prophylactic treatment of oesophageal varices reduce the risk of bleeding and improve life expectancy? A review of the literature shows that until now no mode of prophylactic therapy has succeeded in accomplishing these goals. It is not, therefore, possible at this time to advise the use of prophylactic treatment of oesophageal varices as a routine therapy.
authors.affiliation: Vakgroep Interne Geneeskunde, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Zeijen
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Flendrig
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: van Spreeuwel
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical; D011379:Prognosis; D015911:Sclerotherapy
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists