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 evaluated 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 esophageal varices. When medical contraindications to beta-blockers exist, such as significant reactive airway disease, then treatment with prophylactic endoscopic variceal ligation is often performed.
complications of Cirrhosis
complications of Hepatitis
complications of Acute liver failure
complications of Hepatitis B
complications of Hepatitis A
medical cause of Liver cancer
medical cause of Cirrhosis
complications of Hepatitis E