title: Improving the management of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.
abstract: Gastrointestinal bleeding remains a major cause of mortality in patients with cirrhosis. The most common source of bleeding is from gastroesophageal varices but non-variceal bleeding from peptic ulcer disease also carries a significant risk in patients with liver disease. The prognosis is related to the severity of the underlying liver disease, and deaths often occur due to liver failure, infection or renal failure. Optimal management should therefore not only achieve haemostasis but address these complications as well. The management of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis includes a range of medical, endoscopic and radiological interventions. This article updates the recent developments in this area and highlights topics where further research is still required.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases , Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases , Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016558:Hemostasis, Endoscopic; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
keywords: Gastrointestinal bleeding; antibiotics; band ligation; cirrhosis; injection therapy; portal hypertension; transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS); varices; vasoactive drugs