Ultrasound Prediction of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding Risk
165 participantsStarted 2026-04
Plain-language summary
This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the accuracy of using routine abdominal ultrasound to predict the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding in adult patients with liver cirrhosis. Esophageal variceal bleeding is a serious complication of chronic liver disease. While upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the current standard for diagnosing and grading these varices, it is an invasive procedure.
In this study, researchers will use ultrasound to measure the patient's spleen size and portal vein diameter. These non-invasive measurements will then be compared to the results of a standard upper endoscopy performed within 48 to 72 hours. The goal is to determine if these simple ultrasound measurements can reliably predict the presence, grade, and bleeding risk of esophageal varices, which could potentially reduce the need for routine invasive endoscopic screenings in the future.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients (age ≥18 years) with chronic liver disease and clinical/laboratory/radiological evidence of liver cirrhosis
* Both compensated and decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C)
* Patients scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
* Patients who provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous history of endoscopic variceal band ligation or sclerotherapy
* Prior surgical portosystemic shunt procedures or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
* Hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis
* Previous splenectomy
* Patients receiving beta-blockers for variceal bleeding prophylaxis
* Poor quality ultrasound images due to obesity or ascites
* Refusal to participate in the study
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Grade of esophageal varices
Timeframe: Baseline (at the time of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, performed within 48 to 72 hours of the ultrasound examination)