Oesophageal varices

Question 1

what it is

Answer 1

Enlarged veins within oesophagus (tube that connects throat and stomach)

Question 1

when do they most often happen

Answer 1

• Most often happen in people with serious liver diseases

Question 2

how do they develop

Answer 2

• Oesophageal varices develop when regular blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot or scar tissue in the liver
  
  • Serious - they can rupture and cause massive bleeding!

Question 3

what drug is used for treatment of bleeding from oesophageal varices

Answer 3

Terlipressin injection

Question 4

another indication for terlipressin, apart from treatment of bleeding from oesophageal variceas

Answer 4

type 1 hepatorenal syndrome

Question 5

true or false - terlipressin can cause serious or fatal respiratory failure and can increase risk of sepsis and septic shock in pt with oesophageal varices

Answer 5

false

In those with type 1 hepatorenal syndrome, terlipressin acetate can cause serious or fatal respiratory failure, and can increase the risk of sepsis and septic shock.

There is MHRA advice about this but does not apply for oesophageal varices