What are esophageal varices?

Develop in 50-60% of cirrhotic pt, bleeding accounts to 1/5 - 1/3 of all cirrhosis death, MR (40-70%, 50% within 6 weeks) In portal HTN we might get spontaneous portosystemic collaterals, which are serpentine venous channels crossing through several levels from lamina propria to deep submucosa of esophagus.