Principles of primary prophylaxis of bleeding from oesophagealvaricies in patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

The principles of primary prevention of bleeding from esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis are discussed with reference to the stage ofportal hypertension. The information was collectedfrom the PubMed database, Google Scholar retrieval system, Cochrane reviews, and lists of references from relevant publications for 1980-2015 using the key words «bleeding from esophageal varices», «prophylaxis», «portal hypertension». Inclusion criteria were confined to primary prophylaxis of bleeding from esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis. The analysis showed that the drugs of choice for primary prophylaxis of bleeding from esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis are non-selective beta-adrenoblockers, but their application is indicated only in case of clinicallyl significant portal hypertension in patients with large and mediumsize esophageal varices. When the use of these drugs is contraindicated, endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices can be recommended.