Is it necessary to undergo gastroscopy for cirrhosis?

Not all patients with cirrhosis require endoscopy, but in certain situations, endoscopic examination is important and necessary. When portal hypertension is present in patients with cirrhosis, endoscopy allows direct visualization of the severity and extent of esophageal varices and signs of bleeding. This plays a significant role in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy can also detect the presence of esophageal and gastric varices, assess their severity, and identify features such as red signs, erosion, blood clots, and active bleeding sites on the variceal surface, thereby helping prevent life-threatening hemorrhage due to variceal rupture. However, the decision to perform endoscopy should be based on the patient's individual condition and the physician's recommendation. If physicians believe that endoscopy will aid in diagnosis and treatment, patients should actively cooperate with undergoing the procedure.