title: Esophageal injection sclerosis.
abstract: Hemorrhage from esophageal varices is a serious complication of portal hypertension and cirrhosis, as evidenced by a 50-60% mortality rate and a 40-60% rate of recurrent hemorrhage. Esophageal injection sclerosis (EIS) has emerged as the preferred mode of therapy for esophageal hemorrhage and in most respects is superior to surgical portacaval shunt and medical therapy. EIS controls variceal bleeding acutely in 85-95% of cases and results in the long-term obliteration of varices in 60-80% of patients. EIS decreases the time the patient spends in the hospital, reduces the amount of blood transfused, and may prolong the patient's survival. Complications of ulceration and stenosis can be minimized by proper choice of agent and by manipulating the volume and concentration of sclerosing agent, the interval between sessions, and the pattern of injections within the esophagus. EIS is both effective and reasonably safe for the acute and long-term management of esophageal variceal hemorrhage and can easily be performed at most medical centers in this country.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McClave
mesh_terms: D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions