Gastric Varices: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Raosaheb Rathod , Gastroenterologists Medical

Causes
Find a Doctor
Diagnosis
Treatment
FAQs
Book an Appointment

1. Causes 2. Find a Doctor 3. Diagnosis 4. Treatment 5. FAQs

Gastric varices are enlarged, swollen veins in the stomach that usually develop due to increased pressure in the portal vein, most often caused by liver cirrhosis. Although they may not cause symptoms initially, they can rupture and lead to severe internal bleeding, making them a medical emergency. Early diagnosis and timely treatment help prevent complications and improve outcomes.

What Are the Types of Gastric Varices?

Gastric varices are classified based on their location and relationship to esophageal varices.

Gastroesophageal Varices Type 1 (GOV1): Extend from the esophagus into the lesser curvature of the stomach.
Gastroesophageal Varices Type 2 (GOV2): Extend into the fundus (upper part) of the stomach.
Isolated Gastric Varices Type 1 (IGV1): Occur only in the fundus of the stomach.
Isolated Gastric Varices Type 2 (IGV2): Occur in other parts of the stomach or nearby structures without esophageal involvement.

What Are the Symptoms of Gastric Varices?

Gastric varices often cause no symptoms unless they rupture and bleed. When bleeding occurs, it can be sudden and life-threatening.

Signs to watch for

Vomiting blood (hematemesis), bright red or dark, like coffee grounds
Black, tarry stools (melena)
Lightheadedness or fainting from blood loss
Sudden weakness or fatigue
Low blood pressure
Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper stomach

In people with known liver disease, any of these signs should be treated as a medical emergency.

What are the Causes of Gastric Varices?

The most common cause of gastric varices is portal hypertension, usually due to liver disease. When blood cannot flow normally through the liver, it backs up into other veins, including those in the stomach, causing them to swell.

Main causes include

Cirrhosis: Long-term liver damage from alcohol, hepatitis B or C, or fatty liver disease.
Portal Vein Thrombosis: A blood clot that blocks blood flow in the portal vein.
Schistosomiasis: A parasitic infection that can affect the liver and lead to portal hypertension.
Congenital Liver Disorders: Rare conditions that affect blood flow from birth.
Liver Cancer or Tumors: These can press against veins and disturb normal blood flow.

When to See a Doctor for Gastric Varices?

Consult a gastroenterologist medical or hepatologist if you experience vomiting blood, black stools, dizziness, severe weakness, abdominal swelling, or have been diagnosed with liver disease or portal hypertension. Prompt medical evaluation can help prevent life-threatening complications and manage the condition effectively.

You should see a doctor if you have:

Black, tarry stools or blood in vomit
Persistent fatigue, weakness, or dizziness
Known liver cirrhosis with new digestive symptoms
Abdominal swelling or unexplained weight changes

Get medical help immediately if:

Massive vomiting of blood
Fainting or signs of shock
Severe black stools with dizziness
Confusion or loss of consciousness

These could be signs of severe bleeding from gastric varices, which requires urgent medical care.

Find Gastroenterologists-medical for Gastric Varices Treatment Near You

How Are Gastric Varices Diagnosed?

Gastric varices are usually diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and tests. If bleeding is suspected, emergency testing is done.

Diagnostic methods include

Upper Endoscopy (EGD): A camera on a flexible tube is inserted through the mouth to see the stomach and detect varices.
CT Scan or Ultrasound: These help evaluate liver health, blood flow, and signs of portal hypertension.
Capsule Endoscopy: A tiny camera capsule swallowed by the patient to view the digestive tract.
Liver Function Tests: Blood tests that assess how well the liver is working.
Portal Vein Doppler Ultrasound: Measures blood flow in the portal vein.

How Are Gastric Varices Treated?

Treatment depends on whether the varices have bled and how severe the bleeding is. The goal is to control bleeding, prevent rebleeding, and manage underlying liver disease.

Emergency Treatment for Bleeding

Endoscopic Glue Therapy: A special tissue adhesive (like cyanoacrylate) is injected directly into the bleeding vein to seal it.
Medications: Drugs like octreotide reduce blood flow to the stomach to control bleeding.
Blood Transfusions: To replace lost blood and stabilize the patient.

Preventive (Non-bleeding) Management

Non-selective Beta Blockers: Medications like propranolol hydrochloride are used to lower portal pressure.
Monitoring with Endoscopy: To check for new or enlarging varices.
Treatment of Liver Disease: Managing hepatitis, avoiding alcohol, or considering liver transplant in severe cases.

Advanced Options

TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt): A stent is placed in the liver to reduce pressure in the portal vein.
Balloon-occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (BRTO): A less common but effective procedure for gastric varices.
Liver Transplant: For those with end-stage liver disease and repeated variceal bleeding.

Your health is everything - prioritize your well-being today.

Consult Gastric Varices Doctors Today

What Are the Possible Complications?

If not properly managed, gastric varices can lead to:

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding
Shock or loss of consciousness due to blood loss
Death, if bleeding is not controlled
Recurrent bleeding, which is common without treatment
Anemia from slow or repeated blood loss
Worsening liver function if underlying disease progresses

Timely medical care can reduce the risk of these serious outcomes.

What Are the Risk Factors of Gastric varices?

Certain conditions increase the chance of developing gastric varices:

Advanced liver disease or cirrhosis
Alcohol abuse
Chronic hepatitis infections
Blood clotting disorders
History of gastrointestinal bleeding
Previous variceal bleeding

What Is the Recovery Process for Gastric Varices?

Recovery depends on the severity of bleeding, the underlying liver disease, and the treatment received. Long-term follow-up is essential to reduce the risk of recurrent bleeding.

Regular follow-up with a gastroenterologist or hepatologist
Routine endoscopic surveillance
Taking prescribed medications consistently
Avoiding alcohol and substances that worsen liver disease
Managing liver conditions and portal hypertension
Following a healthy diet and lifestyle
Monitoring for signs of recurrent bleeding
Seeking immediate medical attention if bleeding recurs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What causes Gastric Varices?

Gastric Varices are primarily caused by portal hypertension, which is often the result of liver cirrhosis. Other causes include portal vein thrombosis, splenic vein thrombosis, schistosomiasis, and certain liver or vascular disorders that obstruct normal blood flow.

2. What are the symptoms of Gastric Varices?

Many people with Gastric Varices have no symptoms until bleeding occurs. Symptoms of bleeding may include vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, fainting, and signs of anemia due to blood loss.

3. How are Gastric Varices diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually made using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which allows direct visualization of the varices. Additional tests such as CT scans, MRI, Doppler ultrasound, and blood tests may be performed to assess liver function and identify the underlying cause of portal hypertension.

4. Who is at risk of developing Gastric Varices?

People with liver cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, portal hypertension, portal or splenic vein thrombosis, chronic hepatitis, or excessive alcohol-related liver damage are at the highest risk of developing Gastric Varices.

5. How are Gastric Varices treated?

Treatment depends on whether the varices are bleeding. Medications such as non-selective beta-blockers may reduce portal pressure, while active bleeding may require endoscopic treatment, tissue adhesive injection (cyanoacrylate), balloon tamponade in emergencies, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), or surgery in selected cases.

6. Can Gastric Varices cause life-threatening bleeding?

Yes, Gastric Varices can rupture and cause severe internal bleeding, which is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment is essential to control bleeding, stabilize the patient, and reduce the risk of serious complications or death.