SECONDARY PROPHYLAXIS OF VARICEAL UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate secondary prophylaxis measures for cirrhotic patients who have experienced their first episode of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding. This is a basic, qualitative research study, which involves a literature review based on articles published between 2010 and 2025, available on the PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciELO database platforms. Variceal rebleeding has a high incidence rate within one year following the last bleeding episode, reaching up to 60% when prophylactic measures are not adopted. Currently, the main therapeutic approaches used in the secondary prophylaxis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from varices (UGIBV) include pharmacotherapy, endoscopic procedures, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement, surgical interventions, as well as a combination of these interventions. This study concluded that secondary prophylaxis for UGIBV is extremely important for improving the prognosis and quality of life of cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices, in addition to contributing to the reduction of mortality rates in this patient population.