ALB and End Stage Liver Disease: Compared to those without EGV, the patients with EGV were younger in age and had lower platelet counts; higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (Alk-P) levels; higher rates of hepatic encephalopathy; higher rates of ascites; more prolonged prothrombin times; lower serum albumin levels; higher serum bilirubin; lower rates of Child-Pugh grade A; and higher scores of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD).