[Primary prophylaxis of esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients].
During 2004 and 2005 we selected ten motivated and well informed patients affected by hepatic cirrhosis and medium-large esophageal varices; we performed endoscopic band ligation to prevent the first bleeding episode in these patients because not eligible for non selective beta-blockers full dose therapy. After over 3 years' follow-up we have no found fatal or not varices related complications. Five patients died from hepatic failure. Recent literature highlights endoscopic band ligation usefulness because of favourable cost-effectiveness ratio and good quality of life in well selected patients treated by a skilled endoscopic team.
Leuci
Domenico
D
Unità Operativa Complessa di Medicina Interna ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Presidio Ospedaliero Lorenzo Bonomo, ASL BAT, Regione Puglia, Andria. artemidold@libero.it
Pomarico
Giuseppe
G
Casucci
Nunzio
N
Fucci
Benedetto
B
D'Alitto
Nicoletta
N
Caldarone
Antonio
A
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists