What is a common terminal event in end-stage liver disease?

In end-stage liver disease, a common terminal event is bleeding from gastrointestinal or esophageal varices. This occurs due to portal hypertension, a condition resulting from the liver's inability to function properly. As the liver deteriorates, the pressure in the portal vein increases, leading to the engorgement and fragility of the veins in the esophagus and stomach. When these varices rupture, it can result in significant and life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding.

This situation is particularly common among patients with advanced liver disease, such as cirrhosis, where the chronic damage impairs the liver's vasculature and increases the risk of variceal hemorrhage. Therefore, recognizing and managing the risks associated with variceal bleeding is critical for healthcare providers working with end-stage liver disease patients.

While other options like kidney failure, heart attack, and lung infection can occur in patients with liver disease, they are not as prevalent as the risk of variceal bleeding in the context of terminal events associated with advanced liver dysfunction.