Esophageal Varices
Esophageal varices are abnormal, enlarged veins in the tube that connects the throat and stomach (esophagus). This condition occurs most often in people with serious liver diseases. Esophageal varices develop when normal blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot or scar tissue in the liver. To go around the blockages, blood flows into smaller blood vessels that aren't designed to carry large volumes of blood. The vessels can leak blood or even rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding. A number of drugs and medical procedures can help prevent and stop bleeding from esophageal varices.
This video in 30 seconds
This video explains esophageal varices. It describes them as abnormal, enlarged veins in the esophagus occurring most often in people with serious liver diseases, developing when normal blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot or scar tissue so blood flows into smaller vessels not designed for large volumes, which can leak or rupture causing life-threatening bleeding, with drugs and procedures described to help prevent and stop bleeding.
Key points
- Esophageal varices are explained as enlarged veins in the esophagus
- Association with serious liver disease is described
- Development from blocked blood flow to the liver is explained
- Risk of leaking or rupturing and life-threatening bleeding is covered
Video Overview
This video presents “Esophageal Varices” — Esophageal varices are abnormal, enlarged veins in the tube that connects the throat and stomach (esophagus). This condition occurs most often in people with serious liver diseases. Esophageal varices develop when normal blood flow to. Whether you are preparing for a procedure, studying the technique, or learning how a condition is assessed, the recording shows the process as it is performed in practice.
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