title: Primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.
abstract: Gastroesophageal varices are present in almost half of patients with cirrhosis at the time of initial diagnosis. Variceal bleeding occurs in 25% to 35% of patients with cirrhosis. Effective and timely care can prevent variceal bleeding (primary prophylaxis). For example, clinical studies demonstrate that both beta-blockers and endoscopic variceal ligation are effective in preventing a first episode of variceal bleeding. The major challenge is to screen patients in a timely manner and institute a form of therapy that has the highest chance of success in terms of patient compliance and effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 6620 Main St., Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Jawad A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ilyas
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 6620 Main St., Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: kanwal@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Fasiha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kanwal
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications; D008026:Ligation; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011322:Primary Prevention
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
keywords: Cirrhosis; Hemorrhage; Portal hypertension