Liver failure, cirrhosis and portal hypertension explain detail in people with liver failure and cirrhosis, the liver is incapable of processing blood from the bowels.

As a result, abnormally high pressure develops within the veins that drain blood from the bowels as the body tries to form other channels for the blood to empty into the main (systemic) circulation.

These alternate pathways of blood drainage are known as portosystemic collaterals and consist of fragile veins that surround the esophagus, stomach or other areas in the digestive tract.

Because of the fragility of these veins, they are prone to rupturing, which can result in massive amounts of bleeding.

The abnormally high pressure within the veins draining into the liver (portal hypertension) can also result in the formation of fluid seeping from the surface of the liver and collecting in large quantities in the abdominal cavity.

This is known as ascites. Therapies that lower the blood pressure within the veins draining into the liver can lessen the formation of ascites and lower the risk of bleeding from the fragile veins (varices).