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Ali H, Pamarthy R, Bolick NL, Ali E, Paleti S, Kapuria D. Downhill esophageal varices: a systematic review of the case reports. EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.37349/emed.2022.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The etiologies, presentation, and management of downhill varices in the era of modern medicine are relatively under-explored and mostly limited to case reports or case series.
Methods: Published case reports/series of patients ≥ 18 years old with proven/probable downhill esophageal varices were searched on Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid EMBASE for all published cases up to January 2021.
Results: The mean age was 50.9 (standard deviation ± 17.6) years old for all downhill variceal cases. End-stage renal disease was the most common comorbidity (43.9%), followed by thyroid disease (12.2%), Behçet’s disease (9.8%), and pulmonary hypertension (7.3%). Dialysis catheters, central venous grafts, or additional catheters were additional risk factors (51.2%). Variceal bleeding presenting as hematemesis, melena, or both was the most common presenting symptom (80.5%).
Conclusions: Dialysis catheter-associated superior vena cava obstruction resulted in an increased risk of downhill varices. Other causes include thyroid malignancies, pulmonary hypertension, and Behçet’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassam Ali
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Rahul Pamarthy
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Nicole Leigh Bolick
- 2Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Eslam Ali
- 3Department of Gastroenterology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Swathi Paleti
- 4Department of Gastroenterology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Devika Kapuria
- 5Department of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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