Portal Pressure, Presence of Gastroesophageal Varices and Variceal Bleeding

This study was performed to examine the relationships between portal pressure measurements and the presence of esophagogastric varices, the size of varices and the occurrence of hemorrhage from varices in 93 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, using standardized measurements of portal pressure by hepatic vein catheterization. The mean hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) was significantly higher in 49 patients who had bled from varices than in 44 cirrhotic patients who had not (20.4 ± 5.1 vs. 16.0 ° 5. 2; p 12 mm Hg. Six of 15 cirrhotic patients without varices had HVPG 0.10). The mean HVPG in the groups of patients with large varices who had not bled was similar to those with small varices who had not bled (17.3 ± 3.1 vs. 16.7 ± 3.2 mm Hg) (p > 0.10). In both groups, the pressure was lower in those who had not bled. We confirm previous observations that an HVPG > 12 mm Hg is necessary for the occurrence of variceal hemorrhage. We note in addition that this pressure gradient is necessary for the appearance of gastroesophageal varices. Elevated portal pressure plays a major role in the development of esophageal varices, but other factors contribute to the precipitation of hemorrhage from varices. All of these factors, which include size of the varix, thickness of the wall and transmural pressure are integrated in the wall stress formula, which is based on the LaPlace formula. Risk factors are multiple and variable and may interact in the individual patient to precipitate variceal hemorrhage.