- Vascular abnormality of stomach, w/precise cause unknown
- 30% assoc w/cirrhosis
- Anything that causes cirrhosis: ETOH, Hep B, Hep C, NASH, etc
- More typically causes chronic blood loss--> fatigue, weakness
- Can occasionally have acute loss: hematemesis, n, v
- Abdominal discomfort
- Can have tachycardia, hypotension is significant blood loss, though not usually acute
- Sometimes findings suggestive chronic liver dz, portal htn: ascites, edema, jaundice, etc
- Stool can be black, guaiac +
- Often no specific findings
- Endoscopy to make dx: often "watermelon striped" vascular markings of stomach antrum