Long-term follow-up of patients with liver cirrhosis after endoscopic ethanol injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varices
Okano, H.; Shiraki, K.; Inoue, H.; Kawakita, T.; Deguchi, M.; Sugimoto, K.; Sakai, T.; Ohmori, S.; Murata, K.; Nakano, T.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 50(53): 1556-1559
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 14571785 Accession: 012272458
Background/Aims: Esophageal variceal hemorrhage is a severe complication of liver cirrhosis, and therapy for acute bleeding and prevention of hemorrhage are important. In this study, we evaluated the long-term cumulative survival rate of patients with esophageal varices after treatment with endoscopic ethanol injection sclerotherapy (EIS group) or pharmacological therapy (non-EIS group). Methodology: All 110 patients were treated for their esophageal varices and their prognosis and complications were analyzed during the follow-up period. Results: The cumulative survival rate in the primary preventive EIS group was superior to that in the non-EIS group. The preventive EIS group had greater long-term survival rate than those treated on an emergency group. With respect to emergency therapy, the EIS group had better survival rates than the non-EIS group during the two-year follow-up period after esophageal variceal therapy. Conclusions: We conclude that primary preventive EIS is an effective therapy for survival of patients with esophageal varices over a long-term period.