IntroductionThe treatment of portal hypertension is complex and the the best strategy depends
on the underlying disease (cirrhosis vs. schistosomiasis), patient's clinical
condition and time on it is performed (during an acute episode of variceal
bleeding or electively, as pre-primary, primary or secondary prophylaxis). With
the advent of new pharmacological options and technical development of endoscopy
and interventional radiology treatment of portal hypertension has changed in
recent decades.AimTo review the strategies employed in elective and emergency treatment of variceal
bleeding in cirrhotic and schistosomotic patients.MethodsSurvey of publications in PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, SciELO and Cochrane databases
through June 2013, using the headings: portal hypertension, esophageal and gastric
varices, variceal bleeding, liver cirrhosis, schistosomiasis mansoni, surgical
treatment, pharmacological treatment, secondary prophylaxis, primary prophylaxis,
pre-primary prophylaxis.ConclusionPre-primary prophylaxis doesn't have specific treatment strategies; the best
recommendation is treatment of the underlying disease. Primary prophylaxis should
be performed in cirrhotic patients with beta-blockers or endoscopic variceal
ligation. There is controversy regarding the effectiveness of primary prophylaxis
in patients with schistosomiasis; when indicated, it is done with beta-blockers or
endoscopic therapy in high-risk varices. Treatment of acute variceal bleeding is
systematized in the literature, combination of vasoconstrictor drugs and
endoscopic therapy, provided significant decline in mortality over the last
decades. TIPS and surgical treatment are options as rescue therapy. Secondary
prophylaxis plays a fundamental role in the reduction of recurrent bleeding, the
best option in cirrhotic patients is the combination of pharmacological therapy
with beta-blockers and endoscopic band ligation. TIPS or surgical treatment, are
options for controlling rebleeding on failure of secondary prophylaxis. Despite
the increasing evidence of the effectiveness of pharmacological and endoscopic
treatment in schistosomotic patients, surgical therapy still plays an important
role in secondary prophylaxis.