Intravariceal pressure measurement in cirrhotic patients: is it a reliable technique?

he aim of the present study is to evaluate in both "in vitro" and clinical conditions the reliability of the method for measuring the oesophageal varices pressure by means of a sclerosing needle. The perfusion system was validated "in vitro", comparing the tracings obtained with two different perfusion apparatus, with two different perfusional agents and with the needle either completely or partially inserted in a venous catheter perfused with saline solution, either in the same direction as the flow or the opposite one. The clinical validation was conducted on 14 cirrhotic patients with II to IV grade oesophageal varices according to Dagradi's classification. During endoscopy, the intravariceal and oesophageal pressures were measured using a sclerosing needle, perfused with hydrosoluble contrast medium. Once the intravariceal pressure measurement was completed, an X-ray film of the chest was performed. The data were evaluated considering the absence of visible contrast medium as evidence of correct intravariceal needle position, and the presence of a roundish image as evidence of paravariceal insertion of the needle. The presence of respiratory oscillations and intravariceal pressure values were verified in manometric tracings and were compared with radiological findings. The "in vitro" tests showed no differences in the pressure recording obtained using different pumps, different perfusion agents and with different manners of inserting the needle. Only twenty-eight of the manometric recordings were considered adequate for evaluation in clinical conditions.