X-ray of a person with dilated, snake like varicose veins in their esophagus secondary to pulmonary hypertension. In ideal circumstances, people with known varices should receive treatment to reduce their risk of bleeding. The non-selective β-blockers (e.g., propranolol, timolol or nadolol) and nitrates (e.g., isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) have been<unk> aluated for secondary prophylaxis. Non-selective β-blockers (but not cardioselective β-blockers like atenolol) are preferred because they decrease both cardiac output by β1 blockade and splanchnic blood flow by blocking vasodilating β2 receptors at splanchnic vasculature. The effectiveness of this treatment has been shown by a number of different studies. However, non-selective β-blockers do not prevent the formation of<unk> . When medical contraindications to beta-blockers exist, such as significant reactive airway disease, then treatment with prophylactic endoscopic variceal ligation is often performed.
Esophageal varices
Nosebleed
Gastric varices
Esophageal stricture
Nutcracker esophagus
Anorectal varices
Esophageal web
Esophageal disease