Bleeding oesophageal varices.

Background: The Danish contribution to evaluation and treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices.
Methods: Danish papers dealing with portal hypertension and oesophageal varices have been reviewed and set in relation to international publications.
Results: The Danish papers have mainly contributed with controlled clinical trials concerning both primary and secondary prophylaxis. Furthermore, they have dealt with pathophysiologic, clinical and experimental studies concerning portal haemodynamics and the evolution and treatment of variceal bleeding.
Conclusion: The Danish studies have been well designed and are frequently cited. Further prospective randomized studies in the new treatment modalities are encouraged.