European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Liver cirrhosis, ranked as the 13th leading cause of mortality globally, poses a significant threat with a rising mortality rate. Portal hypertension is a common consequence of liver cirrhosis, leading to various complications, with the development of esophageal varices (EV) being the most serious. EV is attributed to increased hepatic vascular resistance associated with hepatic fibrosis and regenerative nodules. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted at SLN Medical College & Hospital, a tertiary care facility, from October 2020 to December 2022. The study included patients with cirrhosis of the liver, regardless of etiology, who were admitted without a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Results: The study population predominantly comprised males (86%), with females accounting for only 14%. Abdominal distension was the major presenting symptom (86%), followed by pedal edema (70%). Among the 50 patients studied, alcoholism was the leading cause of cirrhosis in 78%, while non-alcoholic factors contributed to 22%. Conclusion: Platelet count and spleen size exhibited variations among patients with small and large varices. Thrombocytopenia and a lower platelet count/spleen diameter (PC/SD) ratio were indicative of higher grades of varices. Identifying these non-endoscopic predictors can assist in prioritizing patients for prophylactic endoscopy, facilitating better management of esophageal varices.