Prophylactic endoscopic sclerotherapy in patients with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and esophageal varices.

A major cause of death among patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension is bleeding from esophago varices. The reasons for variceal haemorrhage and which varices have a high risk of bleeding are discussed. In addition, the question as to whether prophylactic endoscopic schlerotherapy is a viable solution to prevent variceal haemorrhage.