Self expandible metal stents in variceal bleeding as the Blakemore-Sengstaken tube of nowadays? – a single institution experience

Background and study aims: Despite a dramatic reduction of lethality rates due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal variceal bleeding remains a challenge and still accounts for a mortality rate of up to 50% within the first 6 weeks. Rapid and efficient varical ligations in combination with vasoactive terlipressin are key requirements for the initial patients stabilization. However, a relevant proportion of esophageal varical bleeding remains refractory, thus, making a call for additional tools to achieve hemostasis. Self expandible metal stents (SEMS) incorporate such a tool. Patients and methods: We r…