Which condition predisposes a patient to esophageal varices due to portal hypertension?

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Multiple Choice

Which condition predisposes a patient to esophageal varices due to portal hypertension?

The main idea is that esophageal varices arise from portal hypertension. When the liver is scarred and nodular, as in cirrhosis, blood flow through the liver is impaired, raising pressure in the portal venous system. That increased portal pressure pushes blood to find alternate pathways back to the heart, creating dilated collateral vessels in the lower esophagus where portal and systemic veins connect. These esophageal varices are fragile and prone to rupture, which is why cirrhosis predisposes to this condition. Other options don’t create varices through this mechanism. Forceful vomiting can cause mucosal tears (not variceal dilation from portal pressure). Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and doesn’t produce portal hypertension or varices. Anticoagulation increases bleeding risk but doesn’t lead to the development of varices themselves.

The main idea is that esophageal varices arise from portal hypertension. When the liver is scarred and nodular, as in cirrhosis, blood flow through the liver is impaired, raising pressure in the portal venous system. That increased portal pressure pushes blood to find alternate pathways back to the heart, creating dilated collateral vessels in the lower esophagus where portal and systemic veins connect. These esophageal varices are fragile and prone to rupture, which is why cirrhosis predisposes to this condition.

Other options don’t create varices through this mechanism. Forceful vomiting can cause mucosal tears (not variceal dilation from portal pressure). Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and doesn’t produce portal hypertension or varices. Anticoagulation increases bleeding risk but doesn’t lead to the development of varices themselves.

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