RCT of Stent Versus Standard Therapy in Oesophageal Variceal Haemorrhage

Inclusion Criteria: * Arm 1: Participants with Child-Pugh grade B or C cirrhosis with variceal haemorrhage, where the bleeding is from a site which would ordinarily be treated with band ligation . The diagnosis of cirrhosis may be proven by previous histology or suspected using clinical, radiological and biochemical data. * Arm 2: Participants with Child-Pugh grade A, B or C cirrhosis who present with failure to control bleeding within 5 days of an initial attempt at standard endoscopic therapy of acute haemorrhage from a site which would ordinarily be treated with band ligation. Exclusion Criteria: * \< 18 Years of age * Child-Pugh grade A cirrhosis (for Arm 1 only) * Varices which would not be treated with band ligation as standard therapy * Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension * Malignancy of the oesophagus, stomach or upper respiratory tract * Oesophageal stenosis which prohibits endoscopy * Recent oesophageal surgery * A large hiatus hernia which prevents stent placement * Known hepatocellular carcinoma considered to be incurable (according to Milan Criteria) * Patients in the terminal phases of hepatological or other disease * Pregnancy