Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
high

Patients with acute variceal bleeding have a high risk of severe bacterial infection, including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. They should be treated with short-term prophylactic antibiotics to cover gram-negative organisms whether or not they have ascites. This has been shown not only to decrease bacterial infection but also to improve survival.[38][58][67][68]​​ [ Cochrane Clinical Answers logo ]

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

short term
medium

Patients with portal hypertension who develop gastrointestinal bleeding from any etiology, but most commonly from esophageal varices, often develop encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy

long term
low

The placement of bands or sclerosing agents often leads to fibrosis in the lower esophagus. In some cases this may lead to narrowing of the esophagus and development of an esophageal stricture.

variable
medium

The risk of bleeding in patients with medium-to-large varices is 15% per year.[4]

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