Esophageal varices

This trial tests whether an absorbable gelatin sponge works as well as cyanoacrylate glue for closing off enlarged stomach veins that can bleed. Both treatments are delivered via endoscopy with small coils. Participants are adults with a history of bleeding from these veins, and …

This trial tests whether applying sucralfate—a medication that forms a protective barrier over wounds—directly onto esophageal ulcers after variceal banding can speed healing and reduce rebleeding. The study includes adults with cirrhosis who have bleeding esophageal varices. Par…

This study tests whether treating enlarged stomach veins (gastric varices) early with a procedure called retrograde transvenous obliteration (RTO) can prevent dangerous bleeding. 68 adults with cirrhosis and gastric varices will be randomly assigned to either RTO or standard care…

This study compares a new procedure using a special stent (underdilated VCX-TIPS) with standard treatment (endoscopic banding plus beta-blockers) to prevent variceal rebleeding in people with cirrhosis. The new approach uses a smaller balloon to expand the stent, aiming to lower …

This study looks at two treatments—endoscopy and a procedure called TIPS—to prevent repeat bleeding from enlarged veins in the stomach or esophagus caused by liver disease. Over 1,000 adults with this condition will be followed for a year to see which approach works better. The g…

This trial tests whether a new device, Pro9000X, can measure spleen stiffness to detect esophageal varices—enlarged veins in the esophagus that can bleed dangerously—in people with chronic liver disease. Currently, the only reliable way to diagnose these varices is an invasive en…

This study looks at whether non-invasive tests like blood counts and spleen size can accurately predict the presence and severity of enlarged veins in the esophagus (varices) in children with portal hypertension. Researchers will compare these simple markers to the standard metho…

This study looks at whether a special MRI scan can safely rule out high-risk varices (enlarged veins that can bleed) in people with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. Instead of using a camera tube down the throat (endoscopy), researchers will test an MRI-based model. If it works, ma…

This phase 3 trial tests whether vonoprazan, a newer acid-blocking drug, is better than rabeprazole at preventing ulcers and bleeding after endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL) in people with cirrhosis. About 300 adults with esophageal varices will take one of the two drugs da…

This study looks at whether a simple, non-invasive ultrasound can predict the risk of dangerous bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus (varices) in people with liver cirrhosis. Researchers will measure spleen size and a key blood vessel diameter on ultrasound and compare t…

This study will follow 2,500 patients with liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension who are scheduled for elective medical procedures. Researchers want to find out how often bleeding happens and what factors predict it, beyond standard blood tests. The goal is to improve safety by …