Endoscopic noninvasive manometry of esophageal varices: prognostic significance

Abstract

Our study attempts to establish a relation between the pressure in the esophageal varices and the clinical outcome in 18 patients in whom sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices was performed. The measured pressure was compared to the endoscopic findings. Before sclerotherapy, a noninvasive manometric measurement was performed on the varices using a spheric membrane manometer fixed at the tip of an endoscope. Twelve of our 18 patients suffered repeated hemorrhage which led to death in five. We discovered a relation between the measured pressure and the outcome. Beside this, we measured the highest pressures in the largest varices. The relation that seems to exist between the pressure in the esophageal varices, the endoscopic findings, and the severity of the portal hypertension may provide new opportunities for research in this field.