Age

18–any

Sex

ALL

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

History of variceal bleeding or previous primary prevention of varices.
Portal vein thrombosis or previous porto-systemic shunts as TIPS.
Patients on drugs affecting portal pressure (beta blockers, nitrates).
Advanced cardiovascular disease including acute myocardial infarction, atrio-ventricular block, congestive heart failure, chronic peripheral ischemia, and severe bradycardia.
Patients with severe respiratory diseases (COPD, bronchial asthma).
Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
Renal impairment.
Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Allergy to carvedilol.
Pregnancy or lactation.

Cross-section Band Ligation Versus Stepladder Band Ligation of Esophageal Varices