F2 and esophageal varices: Study has also shown that prothrombin time could be a predicator for large esophageal varices (LEV) in selected patients with a spleen width of ≤ 44.5 mm and a portal vein diameter of > 11.75 mm.9 Although upper gastrointestinal endoscopy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices, the present study reveals that the measurement of prothrombin time may be of some importance for the assessment of portal hypertension in some patients with cirrhosis of the liver.