Gastric Variceal Bleeding: Is Endoscopic Ultrasound the Next Game Changer in the Management of Gastric Varices?

Abstract

Gastric varices (GV) are present in 15-25% of cirrhotic patients with type 1 gastroesophageal varices (GOV1) being the most common[1,2]. In comparison to esophageal varices, the incidence of gastric variceal bleeding is low (10-20%) and is not proportional to portal venous pressure as noted in the esophageal varices, which has a rebleeding rate of up to 30% noted in GV[2,3]. The GV bleeding is difficult to control due to the presence of a thick mucosal layer over the GV, which does not collapse during bleeding.