title: Role of endoscopy in primary prophylaxis for esophageal variceal bleeding.
abstract: Cirrhosis is the leading cause of portal hypertension in the Western world. From a clinical standpoint, the most significant consequence of portal hypertension is the development of esophageal varices. Despite the many advances in the management of variceal bleeding, it remains a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. Primary prophylaxis to prevent the first bleeding episode in patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices is therefore critically important in the management of patients with cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. aalbillosm@meditex.es
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albillos
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peñas
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zamora
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008403:Mass Screening; D011168:Portal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists