Similarities and differences in the clinical features between cardia varices and esophageal varices.

Background And Aim: Little is known about the clinical features of cardia varices (CV). The aim was to examine the background, bleeding risk, and post-treatment outcomes of CV in patients with portal hypertension.

Methods: The subjects of this retrospective study were 277 patients (179 males, 98 females, 62.9 ± 11.5 years) with esophageal varices (EV). In patients with CV, there were 65 bleeders, and 95 patients received endoscopic treatment for primary or secondary prophylaxis.

Results: There were 147 patients with CV (53.1%). The higher grade of EV (P < 0.01) and the lower grade of gastric fundal varices (FV) (P = 0.046) were significant factors for the presence of CV. Significant risk factors for bleeding were: the higher grade of EV (P < 0.01), red sign on EV (P < 0.01), lower albumin (P = 0.01), and Child-Pugh B/C (P < 0.01) for EV and red sign on CV (P < 0.01) and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/aspirin (P < 0.01) for CV. All CV disappeared by sclerotherapy combined with argon plasma coagulation or band ligation, and 20 patients (21.1%) in EV and 18 patients (18.9%) in CV had recurrences during the median observation period of 19.4 months. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate between non-bleeders, bleeders from EV, and those from CV.

Conclusions: The CV were closely associated with advanced grade of EV and less-advanced grade of FV. Further, usage of NSAIDs/aspirin and red sign were significantly related to the bleeding from CV, suggesting the need for careful management.