Clinical significance of esophageal variceal pressure in patients with esophageal varices

In 40 patients with esophageal varices, esophageal variceal pressure was assessed endoscopically using a pneumatic pressure sensor. The effects of vasopressin or nitroglycerin on variceal pressure and endoscopic findings were also assessed in two groups of seven patients. The results were as follows: (1) Variceal pressure was increased above 250 mmH 2 O in all patients who had bled, and the mean variceal pressure was significantly higher in patients who had bled than in those who had not (301±47 vs. 230±58 mmH 2 O respectively, p 2 -F 3 or RC(++)-RC(+++) were compared to those with a feature of F 1 or RC(−)-RC(+), respectively. (3)Both groups given vasopressin or nitroglycerin had significant reductions in variceal pressure; however, there was little improvement in endoscopic findings in those given nitroglycerin, compared to the improvement in those given vasopressin. Thus, use of a pneumatic pressure sensor proved to be a pertinent tool for assessing esophageal varices, along with endoscopic signs.