title: Primary prophylaxis of bleeding from esophageal varices in cirrhosis.
abstract: Prophylaxis of the first bleeding from esophageal varices became a clinical option more than 20 years ago, and gained a large diffusion in the following years. It is based on the use of nonselective beta-blockers, which decreases portal pressure, or on the eradication of esophageal varices by endoscopic band ligation of varices. In patients with medium or large varices either of these treatments is indicated. In patients with small varices only medical treatment is feasible, and in patients with medium and large varices with contraindication or side-effects due to beta-blockers, only endoscopic band ligation may be used. In this review the rationale and the results of the prophylaxis of bleeding from esophageal varices are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35126 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merkel
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35126 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montagnese
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35126 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amodio
keywords: RWM, red wale marks; band ligation; beta-blockers; portal hypertension