Esophageal Varices Workup

  • Author: Samy A Azer, MD, PhD, MPH; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 19, 2010
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Complete blood cell (CBC) count: Results may show anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Anemia may be secondary to bleeding, nutritional deficiencies, or bone marrow suppression secondary to alcoholism. Many patients with portal hypertension have some degree of hypersplenism. The hematocrit value may be low in patients with upper abdominal bleeding.
  • Type and cross-match blood and order 6 units of packed red blood cells.
  • Prothrombin time (PT): Because the coagulation factors involved in this test are synthesized by the liver, impairment of the liver function may result in a prolonged prothrombin time.
  • Liver function tests: A mild elevation of the plasma activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) may occur in cirrhosis, although activity may be normal.
  • Blood urea, creatinine, and electrolytes: Blood urea and creatinine levels may be elevated in patients with esophageal bleeding. Drug treatment, cirrhosis, ascites, and blood loss may contribute to changes in the serum electrolytes of these patients.
  • Arterial blood gas (ABG) and pH measurements
  • Hepatic serology helps in the assessment of the cause of cirrhosis.
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Imaging Studies

  • Ultrasonography of the upper abdomen may be indicated in those with esophageal varices, especially if biliary obstruction or liver cancer is suspected.
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Other Tests

  • Rectal examination: Obtain a stool sample for visual inspection. A black, soft, tarry stool on the gloved examining finger suggests upper GI bleeding.
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Procedures

  • Endoscopy is required at an early stage to formulate the management plan for those with esophageal varices. If active variceal bleeding or an adherent clot is observed, variceal hemorrhage can be diagnosed confidently. The presence of variceal red color signs (eg, cherry red spots, red whale markings, blue varices) indicates an increased risk of further bleeding.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Samy A Azer, MD, PhD, MPH  Professor of Medical Education and Head of Curriculum Development Unit, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Visiting Professor of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Japan; former Professor of Medical Education, Chair of Medical Education Research and Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia; former Consultant to the Victorian Postgraduate Medical Foundation, Melbourne, Australia; former Senior Lecturer in Medical Education, Faculty Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne and University of Sydney, Australia

Samy A Azer, MD, PhD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, Association for Psychological Science, Gastroenterological Society of Australia, New York Academy of Sciences, Royal Society of Medicine, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Waqar A Qureshi, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Chief of Endoscopy, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Waqar A Qureshi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Simmy Bank, MD  Chair, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Long Island Jewish Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP  Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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