Background Ruptured oesophageal varices (OVs) is a major cause of mortality in Portal hypertension (PHT) patients, It has been a great issue of interest and research to screen and early detect OVs via oesophageal varices non-invasive methods. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of measuring plasma von willibrand factor antigen (VWF-Ag) for prediction of the occurrence of oesophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension. Subjects & Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional study, done on 47 children with portal hypertension. The children were recruited from Pediatrics Hepatology clinic, Ain Shams University. Patient’s data was collected including age, sex, etiology and duration of PHT, along with medical treatment. Also an upper GIT endoscope, abdominal doppler ultrasound, and laboratory tests including measuring of plasma VWF-Ag were done to each patient. Then the children were divided based on their endoscopic findings into two groups; variceal group which included 37 patients, and a nonvariceal group which included 10 patients Results: The results of our study revealed an elevated plasma VWF-Ag in patients with oesophageal varices, whilst normal levels of plasma VWF-Ag in the non-variceal patients. In addition, there was a direct positive correlation between increased plasma VWF-Ag and the degree of oesophageal varices. Conclusion Since the plasma VWF-Ag level correlates with the presence and degree of OVs, it can be used as a noninvasive indicator of the presence and degree of OVs, However, further studies using larger sample might be needed to support this.

Background Ruptured esophageal varices (EVs) are a leading cause of death in Portal hypertension (PHT), it has been a big concern of research to screen EVs through non-invasive approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the role of plasma von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF-Ag) assay for early detection of EVs in patients with portal hypertension. This was a cross-sectional study, done on 47 portal hypertensive children and adolescents who were collected from the Pediatrics Hepatology Clinic, Children Hospital, Ain Shams University. All patients were subjected to comprehensive history taking, thorough clinical examination, routine investigations, abdominal ultrasound, upper GI endoscopy, and measurement of plasma VWF-Ag level. The patients were divided based on their endoscopic findings into two groups; a varices group which included 37 patients, and a non-varices group which included 10 patients. Results VWF-Ag rise significantly in patients with EVs, revealing a direct positive association with the degree of EVs. Conclusion The plasma VWF-Ag can be applied as a non-invasive evidence of the presence and grading of EVs.