Publication Name	World Journal of Translational Medicine
Manuscript ID	128231
DOI	10.5528/wjtm.128231
Country	India

Category	Emergency Medicine
Manuscript Type	Minireviews
Article Title	Sudden death due to acute variceal bleeding: A review of diagnostic challenges and clinical presentation
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Varun Modgil and Nirmal Nagar
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Nirmal Nagar, MD, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Bharat Vikas Institute of Medical Sciences, NH-27, Baran-Chittorgarh Highway (Service Lane), Behind Kota University, Kota 324009, Rājasthān, India. nagarnirmal4@gmail.com
Key Words	Acute variceal bleeding; Sudden death; Esophageal varices; Portal hypertension; Postmortem examination; Forensic pathology; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Core Tip	Sudden death due to acute variceal bleeding is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication of portal hypertension that may occur without a previously diagnosed liver disease. The diagnosis can be particularly challenging in out-of-hospital deaths, where clinical information and endoscopic confirmation are unavailable. This review highlights the varied clinical presentations, mechanisms of catastrophic haemorrhage, and important diagnostic pitfalls. Careful scene investigation, systematic autopsy examination, histopathology, and clinicopathological correlation are essential for establishing the cause of death and excluding alternative sources of gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Greater awareness among clinicians and forensic pathologists may improve diagnostic accuracy and cause-of-death certification.
Citation	Modgil V, Nagar N. Sudden death due to acute variceal bleeding: A review of diagnostic challenges and clinical presentation. World J Transl Med 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.5528/wjtm.128231

Received	2026-09-18 03:30
Peer-Review Started	2026-09-18 03:31
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-09-22 06:44
Revised	2026-09-26 10:06
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-10-30 03:18
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-10-30 03:29
Articles in Press	2026-10-30 03:29
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	2220-6132 (online)
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