Bleeding from abnormal blood vessels in the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). This may occur in patients with cirrhosis.

A complication of cirrhosis caused by portal hypertension. Increased pressure in the portal vein causes large veins to develop across the esophagus and stomach to bypass the blockage. These varices are fragile and bleed easily, causing internal bleeding.

Abnormal bleeding from ruptured blood vessels in the esophagus that results from severely impaired blood flow through the liver. Patients with advanced cirrhosis are at greatest risk for this complication. This is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.