Frequency of fundal varices in cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleed.

Authors

  • Waseem Sarwar Malghani Nishtar Medical University Multan
  • Farooq Mohyud Din Chaudhary Nishtar Medical University, Multan.
  • Asim Tameez Ud Din Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi.
  • Sana Mohyud Din Chaudhary Ibn-E-Siena Hospital, Multan.
  • Asma Tameez Ud Din CMH Multan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/2019.26.10.3164

Keywords:

Cirrhosis, Fundal Varices, Portal Hypertension, Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

Objectives: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is a common medical emergency in cirrhosis. These patients mainly bleed from esophageal varices. The aim of the present work was to determine the prevalence of fundal varices; gastro-oesophageal varices type2 (GOV-2) and isolated gastric varices type1 (IGV-1), as a cause of AUGIB. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Gastroenterology Department of Nishtar Hospital Multan, Pakistan, using non-probability consecutive sampling. Period: July to December 2018. Material and Methods: Emergency upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy was performed in 165 cirrhotic patients and the findings documented. Results: The mean age was 50.15 ± 12.72 years. There were 103 (62.4%) males and 62 (37.6%) females (p<0.0001). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was the cause of cirrhosis in 75%, followed by HBV in 10% and HBV & HCV co-infection in 6%. Bleeding fundal varices were found in 25 (15%) patients, 15 IGV-1 and 10 GOV-2. Other major causes of bleeding included: esophageal varices 93 (56.4%) and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) 33 (20%). All fundal varices were found in advanced liver disease patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: AUGIB is more common in males and advance liver disease. Although not frequent, fundal varices are an important cause of AUGIB, with a strong association with severity of cirrhosis. Our study demonstrates a higher prevalence of fundal varices (especially IGV-1) than other studies.

Author Biographies

Waseem Sarwar Malghani, Nishtar Medical University Multan

MBBS, FCPS Medicine, FCPS Gastroenterology

Assistant Professor

Department of Gastroenterology

 

Farooq Mohyud Din Chaudhary, Nishtar Medical University, Multan.

MBBS, MD (USA), MRCP (UK),

MRCP (London), ESEGH (UK),

Fellow of Gastroenterology

 

Asim Tameez Ud Din, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi.

MBBS

House Officer

 

Sana Mohyud Din Chaudhary, Ibn-E-Siena Hospital, Multan.

MBBS

House Officer

 

Asma Tameez Ud Din, CMH Multan.

MBBS

Resident

Department of Hematologist,

 

Downloads

Published

2019-10-10