Pre-emptive RTO for An Early Detected Gastric Varices in CT/MR Angiogram Trial

Non-selective beta blockers are used in patients who have not had a previous variceal bleed to prevent bleeding by reducing blood pressure in the liver. These drugs also work by blocking beta receptors that reduce cardiac output and by causing vessel constriction in the abdominal organs, which lowers blood flow to the liver and the existing varices.

Pre-emptive retrograde transvenous obliteration will be performed in patients randomized to this arm to evaluate the effectiveness in decreasing gastric variceal bleeding. Either CARTO or PARTO (coil or plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration) will be performed using EMBOLIZATION COILS or VASCULAR PLUGS of different sizes based on the size of the shunt. Additionally, Gelfoam (collagen sponges) slurry will be injected into the shunt and varices to completely obliterate them.