The search, coagulation, and clipping (SCC) method prevents delayed bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection

Potential of Direct Oral Anticoagulant in Bleeding After Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

An increasing number of patients are undergoing gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with active prescriptions of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Only a few reports have described the effects of DOAC intake on postoperative bleeding. We aimed to investigate the bleeding risk associated with DOACs after gastric ESD.

METHODS

Clinical studies published up to April 2022 showing bleeding rates after gastric ESD in patients taking DOACs were identified using electronic searches. The primary outcome was the rate of bleeding after gastric ESD in patients receiving DOACs compared to those not receiving antithrombotic therapy. In this meta-analysis, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. The secondary outcome was the difference in the bleeding rate between patients treated with DOACs and those treated with warfarin and antiplatelet drugs.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that DOACs had a higher bleeding rate than non-thrombotic therapy (17.0% vs. 3.4%; OR 5.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.33-7.54; I2 = 0%). The bleeding risk associated with DOAC administration was similar to that associated with warfarin (17.0% vs. 20.0%; OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.59-1.18; I2 = 0%), whereas it was higher than that associated with antiplatelet administration (16.9% vs. 11.0%; OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.14-2.34; I2 = 8%).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis reveals that the bleeding risk of DOACs is higher than that of non-antithrombotics and antiplatelets, whereas it is comparable to that of warfarin. Gastric ESD in patients on anticoagulants requires careful postoperative management.

Efficacy and safety of modified endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for superficial esophageal circumferential lesions

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-tunnel dissection using hemostatic forceps and needle-type device for patients with esophageal circumferential lesions (ECLs). Patients with ECLs were enrolled in the study and underwent endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) or hemostatic forceps-based ESTD (ESFTD). All patients were divided into three subgroups according to longitudinal length of the lesions (LLLs): >8 cm, 4-8 cm and < 4 cm. The clinical data such as gender, age, length of lesions and operating time were collected. A total of 152 patients were included in this study and comprised 80 cases of ESFTD and 72 cases of ESTD. The procedure time was markedly shorter in the ESFTD group than in the ESTD group (P < 0.001). Moreover, ESFTD significantly increased the rate of complete resection and reduced specimen injury in LLLs >8 cm and 4-8 cm subgroup compared with ESTD (P < 0.001), but not in <4 cm subgroup (P > 0.05). The perforation and infection rate were similar in ESFTD and ESTD group (P > 0.05). However, ESFTD effectively decreased the muscular injury rate' the duration of chest pain and the time from endoscopic surgery to first occurrence of esophageal stenosis compared with ESTD group (P < 0.01). ESFTD has better efficacy and safety than ESTD in the treatment of ECLs, especially for large lesions. ESFTD could be recommended for patients with ECLs.

Management of Adverse Events of Submucosal Endoscopy

The risk-benefit profile of submucosal endoscopic procedures is generally favorable but there exist unique considerations regarding the recognition, treatment, and prevention of submucosal endoscopic complications. Bleeding during the procedure can be managed with knife electrocautery, tamponade by injection of additional submucosal agent, or hemostatic forceps, depending on the location and degree of bleeding. Delayed bleeding should be managed with repeat endoscopy. Potential means to reduce the risk of delayed bleeding include anticipatory coagulation of visible vessels in the dissection ulcer base, applied hemostatic chemicals, snares, clips, and sheets of cultured cells.

Doppler probe method to reduce delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection in the stomach: a propensity-score matched study (with video)

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic coagulation after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) decreases the rate of delayed bleeding; however, it cannot prevent bleeding completely, and delayed bleeding may occur from non-exposed vessels that were not detected immediately after ESD or where prophylactic coagulation was inadequate. Doppler monitoring systems which can evaluate vascular flow have been recently introduced in the endoscopic field. We developed the Doppler probe method (DOP) using the novel system and conducted a comparative study.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected at a tertiary hospital between January 2017 and May 2021. Patients who underwent DOP were matched to those who did not (no-DOP, 1:3 ratio). After successful ESD, DOP was performed, and coagulation was additionally performed as necessary. The primary outcome was the rate of 30-day delayed bleeding.

RESULTS

Fifty DOP patients were matched to 151 no-DOP patients. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the DOP group had lower rates of delayed bleeding (2.0% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.11; risk differences, 6.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-12.1%), readmission due to bleeding (0% vs. 2.7%), and blood transfusion (2.0% vs. 3.3%) compared to the no-DOP group. In the whole study population (n = 245), the log-rank test revealed that DOP was correlated to a lower incidence of delayed bleeding (P = 0.036). The Cox regression model revealed a marginally significant effect on delayed bleeding (hazard ratio = 0.17, 95% CI 0.022-1.26, P = 0.082). No procedure-related adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

DOP is safe and may reduce delayed bleeding; however, further prospective studies are required to validate our findings.

External validation of the BEST-J score and a new risk prediction model for ESD delayed bleeding in patients with early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Delayed bleeding is an important adverse event after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We aimed to externally validate the Bleeding after ESD Trend from Japan (BEST-J) score and subsequently develop a risk prediction model for bleeding in Chinese patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) after ESD.

METHODS

The clinical data of patients who underwent ESD for EGC in Beijing Friendship Hospital from June 2013 to December 2019 were collected retrospectively. The BEST-J score was evaluated according to the clinical data. Through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of the clinical data, the factors affecting delayed bleeding were identified, and a new risk prediction model for bleeding was established. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of the two prediction models.

RESULTS

A total of 444 patients with EGC undergoing ESD were included, of whom 27 patients had delayed bleeding (6.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a history of smoking (P = 0.029), tumor size > 20 mm (P = 0.022), intraoperative use of hemoclips (P = 0.025), resection of multiple tumors (P = 0.027), and prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P = 0.020) were independent influencing factors for delayed bleeding. ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves (AUCs) were different between the BEST-J score and the newly built prediction model (0.624 vs. 0.749, P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

The BEST-J score has moderately good discrimination for Chinese patients with EGC. However, for patients with EGC without severe comorbidities, the new risk prediction model may predict delayed bleeding better than the BEST-J score.

Wafer paper and ring-mounted polyglycolic acid sheet method for shielding artificial gastric floor

BACKGROUND

The management of postoperative bleeding, after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), has become particularly important because of the recent increase in antithrombotic use. Endoscopic shielding with polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets has been shown to be effective. However, shrinkage and early displacement of the sheet remain challenges. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of our developed method, named wafer paper and ring-mounted PGA sheet (WaRP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-four patients with antithrombotic uptake who underwent the WaRP method following gastric ESD were retrospectively examined. This involved the delivery of a PGA sheet wrapped in wafer paper with ring-thread, and its fixation on the gastric floor using hemoclips. The primary outcome was the technical success rate of the WaRP, and several secondary outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The technical success rate of WaRP was 100%. The procedure lasted a mean of 10.5 min (SD 6.7 min). The prevalence of complete retention at follow-up endoscopy was 83.3% (20/24). There were no WaRP-associated complications, but post-ESD hemorrhage occurred in two patients undergoing hemodialysis (8.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

The WaRP method is a simple and reliable means of PGA sheet delivery and placement that reduces the incidence of post-ESD hemorrhage.

Clinical outcomes of early gastric cardiac cancer treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with different indications

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been accepted as a standard treatment for early gastric cardiac cancer (EGCC). Here, we investigate the clinical outcomes of the EGCC patients who underwent ESD in different indications.

METHODS

From January 2011 to October 2019, we enrolled 502 EGCC lesions from 495 patients which were resected by ESD at our center. We retrospectively analyzed the short-term and long-term clinical outcomes among different indication groups.

RESULTS

The number of the patients in the absolute indication (AI), expanded indication (EI) and beyond the expanded indication (BEI) groups was 265, 137 and 93, respectively. The en bloc resection rate was 100%, 100% and 98.9% (P = 0.185). The complete resection rate was 99.3%, 98.5% and 74.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 48.1 months, the lymph node metastasis rate was 0%, 0% and 2.3% (P < 0.001). The distant metastasis rate was 0.4%, 0% and 2.3% (P = 0.150). The five-year disease-specific survival rate in the BEI group was 96.6% (P = 0.016), compared to 99.6% in the AI group and 100% in the EI group.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy for ESD patients in EI group was almost equal to the AI group. Patients in the BEI group showed generally favorable clinical outcomes and needed to be carefully checked after ESD. ESD may be an optional treatment for patients unsuitable for gastrectomy.

Feasibility of a modified search, coagulation, and clipping method with and without the use of polyglycolic acid sheets and fibrin glue for preventing delayed bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection

BACKGROUND

Methods have been developed for preventing delayed bleeding (DB) after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (GESD). However, none of the methods can completely prevent DB. We hypothesized that DB could be prevented by a modified search, coagulation, and clipping (MSCC) method for patients at low risk for DB and by combining the use of polyglycolic acid sheets and fibrin glue with the MSCC method (PMSCC method) for patients at high risk for DB (antibleeding [ABI] strategy). This study assessed the technical feasibility of this novel strategy.

METHOD

We investigated 123 lesions in 121 consecutive patients who underwent GESD in Kushiro Rosai Hospital between April 2018 and January 2020. The decision for continuation or cessation of antithrombotic agents was based on the Guidelines for Gastroenterological Endoscopy in Patients Undergoing Antithrombotic Treatment.

RESULTS

Oral antithrombotic agents were administered to 28 patients (22.8%). The en bloc R0 resection rate was 98.4%. The MSCC method and the PMSCC method for preventing DB were performed in 114 and 9 lesions, respectively. The median time of the MSCC method was 16 min, and the median speed (the resection area divided by the time of method used) was 3.6 cm2/10 min. The median time of the PMSCC method was 59 min, and the median speed was 1.3 cm2/10 min. The only delayed procedural adverse event was DB in 1 (0.8%) of the 123 lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The ABI strategy is feasible for preventing DB both in patients at low risk and in those at high risk for DB after GESD, whereas the PMSCC method may be necessary for reduction of time.

Polyglycolic acid sheets decrease post-endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding in early gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the standard treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC). However, post-ESD bleeding remains a serious issue, particularly in patients treated with an antithrombotic agent or those have had a large mucosal resection (≥4 cm). Whether covering the ulcer bed induced by ESD with polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets can prevent post-ESD bleeding remains to be questioned. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of PGA sheets on preventing post-ESD bleeding in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) at a high risk of post-ESD bleeding.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases were searched for studies on the effect of PGA sheets shielding on inpatients with EGC and at a high risk of bleeding using post-ESD bleeding rate as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Among the four included studies (212 lesions in the PGA sheet group and 208 in the control group), post-ESD bleeding rate was significantly lower in the PGA sheet group than in the control group (4.9% vs 13.7%, risk ratio [RR] 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18-0.72, P = 0.004). A subgroup analysis showed that the application of PGA sheets effectively reduced the post-ESD bleeding rate in patients receiving antithrombotic agents (5.5% vs 15.2%; RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.17-0.79, P = 0.01). Although the application of PGA sheets tended to decrease the post-ESD bleeding rate in patients who had undergone large mucosal resections, the difference was not significant (4.5% vs 9.6%; RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.15-1.78, P = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

PGA sheets can effectively prevent post-ESD bleeding in patients receiving antithrombotic agents. Further studies are needed to confirm whether PGA sheets can decrease post-ESD bleeding in patients underwent large mucosal resection.

Endoscopic Doppler probe ultrasonography for detecting blood flow at post-endoscopic submucosal dissection ulcers of the stomach

Background and study aims  The rate of early rebleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer ranges from 5 % to 38 %, despite application of preventive methods. Post-ESD rebleeding may be caused by "invisible" vessels that may not be detectable using ultrasonographic techniques. Recently, Doppler probe ultrasonography (DOP) has been used in endoscopy. Because little is known about the usefulness of DOP for decreasing the post-ESD rebleeding rate, we performed a preliminary case series study. Patients and methods  Twelve patients underwent DOP for post-ESD ulcer evaluation after visible vessel coagulation. In this study, the novel DOP system used in the vascular surgery department was used. DOP-positive invisible vessels were shown as a pulse wave on the monitor. Results  No (0 %) cases of post-ESD rebleeding occurred. Twenty invisible vessels were detected, and 13 were subjected to additional coagulation up to a depth of 3 mm. Mean DOP procedure time was 11.6 minutes (range: 8-18 minutes). In these latter cases, disappearance of the Doppler pulse wave was confirmed. No early rebleeding or other adverse events were experienced. Conclusion  DOP is a safe and feasible method for detecting invisible vessels in post-ESD ulcers. Further investigation of the clinical relevance is warranted.

Current evidence and issues of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasms during antithrombotic therapy

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric neoplasms is a useful treatment globally. However, postoperative bleeding after gastric ESD is a serious, and sometimes life-threatening complication in patients receiving antithrombotic drugs, because antithrombotic drugs are considered to increase the risk of postoperative bleeding after gastric ESD. In contrast, withdrawal of antithrombotic drugs during the perioperative period increases the risk of thrombotic complications. Guidelines for the management of antithrombotic drugs during the periendoscopic period have been published by different countries, and recent guidelines place greater emphasis on the risk of thromboembolism with the discontinuation of antithrombotic drugs than on the risk of bleeding with the continuation of antithrombotic drugs. Several studies have reported on the validity of these guidelines, and clinical evidence is being established. Most studies reported that gastric ESD under continuation of aspirin or cilostazol did not increase the risk of bleeding, whereas heparin replacement was strongly associated with a higher risk of bleeding. However, the data regarding some clinical issues about the management of antithrombotic drugs, such as the safety of gastric ESD under continuation of thienopyridine, administration of multiple antithrombotic drugs including dual antiplatelet and anticoagulants (warfarin and direct oral anticoagulant), and effective prophylactic methods for postoperative bleeding after gastric ESD are lacking. Larger clinical data are needed to resolve the remaining issues in the future.

Bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric lesions

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is generally used to treat gastric mucosal and submucosal lesions. Nevertheless, ESD is more difficult and complicated to perform than a traditional endoscopic mucosal resection, which can increase the incidence of various complications including hemorrhage, perforation and infection. Hemorrhage is a major post-ESD complication. Prevention and early diagnosis of post-ESD bleeding for gastric lesions are closely associated with the efficacy and safety of the operation. Many studies have reported the risks of and the preventative measures for hemorrhage after gastric ESD, but there remain some issues to be solved. We thus reviewed the risk factors, precautions and treatments for hemorrhage after ESD of gastric lesions.

Risk Factors for Post-gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Bleeding with a Special Emphasis on Anticoagulant Therapy

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the risk factors for post endoscopic submucosal dissection (post-ESD) bleeding with anticoagulant therapy.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the risk factors for post-ESD bleeding for early gastric cancer (EGC) with an emphasis on anticoagulant therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 2355 EGCs, including 137 lesions in patients treated under anticoagulants. Clinicopathological findings were evaluated between lesions in patients with and without anticoagulant therapy with propensity score matching analysis. The factors associated with post-ESD bleeding were analyzed with multivariate analysis with a logistic regression method.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, post-ESD bleeding was significantly more frequent in lesions of patients with than without anticoagulant therapy (11.7% vs 1.5%, respectively; P = 0.001). A univariate analysis revealed that anticoagulant therapy, heparin bridge therapy, undifferentiated type, deep submucosal invasion, and resected specimen size were associated with post-ESD bleeding. A multivariate analysis revealed anticoagulant therapy (OR 23.1, 95% CI 3.61-147.52) and resected specimen size (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06) to be independent factors associated with post-ESD bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Anticoagulant therapy and resected specimen size were risk factors associated with post-ESD bleeding for EGC.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection: an update on tools and accessories

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive therapeutic procedure to remove larger polyps or early non-metastatic lesions. It has long been used in Asia, but is now fast growing in popularity in the West. There are multiple challenges faced by ESD practitioners. While the practice of ESD in gastric lesions is relatively well established, the oesophagus with its narrow lumen and challenging workspace, and the colon with its tortuous course and folds are more challenging frontiers. The nature of performing a procedure endoscopically means that conventional methods offer no mechanism for providing counter-traction while performing dissection, impeding visibility and increasing the rate of complications. There are a multitude of tools available to those performing ESD for the different stages of the procedure. This article reviews the accessories currently used in regular ESD practice including the knives used to cut and dissect lesions, the cap and hood devices used to improve visibility and safety, injection fluids to lift the submucosal plane, haemostatic devices, generators, and finally, emerging traction apparatus. There is some evidence behind the use of these tools, however, ESD remains the domain of a small number of practitioners and the practice relies heavily on expert experience. Evolution of the ESD toolbox will make the procedure more accessible to more endoscopists, which in turn will drive the development of a more substantial evidence base to evaluate efficacy and safety of the multitude of tools.

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A2 promotes experimental metastasis and oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer

Background

Deregulation of protein translation control is a hallmark of cancers. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A2 (EIF4A2) is required for mRNA binding to ribosome and plays an important role in translation initiation. However, little is known about its functions in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Analysis of CRC transcriptome data from TCGA identified that EIF4A2 was associated with poor prognosis. Immunohistochemistry study of EIF4A2 was carried out in 297 paired colorectal tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples. In vitro and in vivo cell-biological assays were performed to study the biological functions of EIF4A2 on experimental metastasis and sensitivity to oxaliplatin treatment. Bioinformatic prediction, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assay were carried out to unveil the transcription factor of EIF4A2 regulation.

Results

EIF4A2 Expression is significantly higher in colorectal tumors. Multivariate analysis suggests EIF4A2 as an independent predictor of overall, disease-free and progression-free survival. Dysfunction of EIF4A2 by genetic knock-down or small-molecule inhibitor silvestrol dramatically inhibited CRC invasion and migration, sphere formation and enhanced sensitivity to oxaliplatin treatment in vitro and in vivo. Notably, EIF4A2 knock-down also suppressed lung metastasis in vivo. qRT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses identified c-Myc as a downstream target and effector of EIF4A2. ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays validated the bioinformatical prediction of ZNF143 as a specific transcription factor of EIF4A2.

Conclusions

EIF4A2 promotes experimental metastasis and oxaliplatin resistance in CRC. Silvestrol inhibits tumor growth and has synergistic effects with oxaliplatin to induce apoptosis in cell-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1178-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.