Variceal bleeding is aggravated by portal venous invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma: a matched nested case-control study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We hypothesized that portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases portal pressure and causes esophageal varices and variceal bleedings. We examined the incidence of high-risk varices and variceal bleeding and determined the indications for variceal screening and prophylaxis.

Methods

This study included 1709 asymptomatic patients without any prior history of variceal hemorrhage or endoscopic prophylaxis who underwent upper endoscopy within 30 days before or after initial anti-HCC treatment. Of these patients, 206 had PVTT, and after 1:2 individual matching, 161 of them were matched with 309 patients without PVTT. High-risk varices were defined as large/medium varices or small varices with red-color signs and variceal bleeding. Ble

SUBMITTER: Lim J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7786454 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature