Esophageal varices develop when normal blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot or scar tissue in the liver. To go around the blockages, blood flows into smaller blood vessels that aren't designed to carry large volumes of blood. The vessels can leak blood or even rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding.

What is the primary cause of esophageal varices in cirrhosis?

The main cause of esophageal varices is liver disease. Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the food pipe (esophagus). This condition develops in people with liver disease. The liver is the organ that serves several functions including the removal of toxins from the blood.

What causes varices to bleed?

About 50 to 60 out of 100 people who have cirrhosis develop varices in the esophagus. As the blood pressure in the portal vein system continues to increase, the walls of these expanded veins become thinner, causing the veins to rupture and bleed. This is called variceal bleeding.