DECOMPENSATED CIRRHOSIS; PREVALENCE OF GASTRIC VARICES.

Cirrhosis with subsequent portal hypertension is a major health problem worldwide. Among various etiologies, HCV is the leading cause of chronic hepatocellular injury. Cirrhosis being the commonest cause of portal hypertension results in a spectrum of complications. Approximately 5-15% of cirrhotic develop varices. Gastric varices although present less frequently as compared to esophageal varices but are associated with greater mortality and morbidity. Objectives: To determine prevalence of Gastric varices in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place & Duration: Carried out at two centers, Pakistan Ordinance Factories Hospital Wah Cantt and Shalimar Hospital Lahore from Jan 2014 to Jan 2015. Subjects: A total of 421subjects of decompensate cirrhosis were included in the study. Methods: Patients with decompensate cirrhosis of any etiology who were visiting the two hospitals as inpatient or outpatient were included in the study. Upper GI endoscopy was done in all these subjects for determination of gastric varices. Results: Among 421 patients of decompensate cirrhosis, frequency of gastric varices was 10.9%, GOV1 as the most common variant. Gastric varices contributed to 5.4% of all variceal bleeds. Conclusion: Gastric varices are found in significant number of patients of decompensate cirrhosis. Since gastric varices are associated with increased mortality and poor outcomes, these should be carefully looked during upper GI endoscopy. Successful management of gastric variceal hemorrhage necessitates availability of expertise and newer diagnostic modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]