Sasso R, et al. - Given that anticoagulation therapy is often withheld from cirrhotic patients under the belief that these patients are “auto-anticoagulated,” researchers retrospectively evaluated 320 cirrhotic patients who received anticoagulation therapy to determine the patterns of anticoagulation use and to assess the risk of bleeding complications in this patient population. Findings suggested an increased risk of bleeding among anticoagulated cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices. Therefore, in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices who require anticoagulation, the investigators recommended carefully managing the varices before starting anticoagulation.