Efficacy of argon plasma coagulation in nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided vascular interventions: An expanding paradigm

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has expanded its arena from a mere diagnostic modality to an essential therapeutic tool in managing gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The proximity of the GI tract to the vascular structures in the mediastinum and the abdomen has facilitated the growth of EUS in the field of vascular interventions. EUS provides important clinical and anatomical information related to the vessels' size, appearance and location. Its excellent spatial resolution, use of colour doppler with or without contrast enhancement and ability to provide images "real-time" helps in precision while intervening vascular structures. Additionally, structures such as venous collaterals or varices can be dealt with optimally using EUS. EUS-guided vascular therapy with coil and glue combination has revolutionized the management of portal hypertension. It also helps to avoid radiation exposure in addition to being minimally invasive. These advantages have led EUS to become an upcoming modality to complement traditional interventional radiology in the field of vascular interventions. EUS-guided portal vein (PV) access and therapy is a new kid on the block. EUS-guided portal pressure gradient measurement, injecting chemotherapy in PV and intrahepatic portosystemic shunt has expanded the horizons of endo-hepatology. Lastly, EUS has also forayed into cardiac interventions allowing pericardial fluid aspiration and tumour biopsy with experimental data on access to valvular apparatus. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the expanding paradigm of EUS-guided vascular interventions in GI bleeding, portal vein access and its related therapeutic interventions, cardiac access, and therapy. A synopsis of all the technical details involving each procedure and the available data has been tabulated, and the future trends in this area have been highlighted.

Endoscopic management of bleeding gastrointestinal tumors

Bleeding due to primary or metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) tumors remains clinically challenging. Bleeding is further complicated in the setting of underlying friable neovascularization of tumors and coagulopathy. Endoscopic hemostatic therapeutic options have traditionally involved the use of thermal/mechanical therapy in conjunction with injection therapy. This review looks at the role of endoscopy in managing tumor-related GI bleeding, specifically contact and non-contact thermal therapy, radiofrequency ablation, endoloops, epinephrine and ethanol injection, and, most recently, Hemospray. Overall, current data show that endoscopic therapy is limited, with high rebleeding rates and a failure to improve overall outcomes. Larger clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy of current techniques and establish therapeutic algorithms, with the goal of achieving primary hemostasis and reducing rebleeding rates.

Clinical efficacy of octreotide acetate combined with thrombin in the treatment of liver cirrhosis complicated with gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Clinical efficacy of octreotide acetate combined with thrombin in the treatment of liver cirrhosis complicated with gastrointestinal hemorrhage was investigated. A retrospective analysis of 157 patients with liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage admitted to Weifang People's Hospital from March 2012 to September 2014 was performed. Among them, 74 patients treated with octreotide acetate were enrolled into the octreotide group, and 83 patients treated with octreotide acetate combined with thrombin were enrolled into the combination group. Comparison between the two groups was made in terms of the average hemostasis time, the hospitalization time, the amount of blood transfusion during hospitalization, the efficacy of hemostasis and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. The mean hemostasis time of the octreotide group was higher than that of the combination group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05); the hospitalization time of the octreotide group was significantly longer than that of the combination group (P<0.05); the blood transfusion volume of patients in the octreotide group was significantly higher than that of the combination group (P<0.05); the overall effective rate of the combination group after treatment was higher than the overall effective rate of the octreotide group (89.19%) (P<0.05). The VAS scores of the combination group at 24 and 72 h after treatment were lower than those of the octreotide group (P<0.05); the VAS scores of both the octreotide and the combination group at 24 and 72 h after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, the combination of octreotide acetate and thrombin is worthy of clinical promotion as it could reduce the average hemostasis time, the bleeding volume, and the hospitalization time of patients with liver cirrhosis combined with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, with better efficacy than the use of octreotide acetate alone.

Comparison of monopolar hemostatic forceps with soft coagulation versus hemoclip for peptic ulcer bleeding: a randomized trial (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although various methods are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer bleeding, there is not a standard recommended approach. The choice depends on multiple factors such as location of the ulcer, clinical experience of the endoscopist, and local facilities of the clinic. We aimed to compare the efficacy of monopolar hemostatic forceps soft coagulation (MHFSC) and hemoclips (HCs) in the treatment of peptic ulcer-related upper GI bleeding.

METHODS

The study group included patients who had GI bleeding due to Forrest 1a, 1b, and 2a gastric or duodenal ulcers within 1 year. Patients with bleeding diathesis, history of gastrectomy, pregnancy, or younger than age 18 years were excluded. The remaining were randomized to MHFSC and HC treatment groups and compared in terms of clinical and endoscopic features, initial hemostasis success rates, recurrent bleeding rates within the first 7 days, time to achieve hemostasis, length of hospitalization stay, and adverse events.

RESULTS

One hundred twelve patients were randomized to MHFSC (n = 56) and HC (n = 56) groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to demographic features, medications, underlying chronic diseases, location, and Forrest classification of the ulcers. The initial hemostasis success rate was 98.2% (55/56) in the MHFSC group and 80.4% (45/56) in the HC group (P = .004). Recurrent bleeding was detected in 2 patients in the MHFSC group (3.6%) and 8 patients in the HC group (17.7%; P = .04). The duration of endoscopic procedures (302 ± 87.8 vs 568 ± 140.4 seconds) and the length of hospital stay (3.50 ± 1.03 vs 4.37 ± 1.86 days) were significantly shorter in the MHFSC group. There were no adverse events in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

MHFSC is more effective in achieving initial hemostasis compared with HCs in the treatment of peptic ulcer bleeding and provides a shorter procedure time and a lower recurrent bleeding rate.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided vascular access and therapy (with videos)

The continued need to develop minimally invasive alternatives to surgical and radiologic interventions has driven the development of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided treatments. EUS has now stepped into the therapeutic arena. EUS provides the unique advantage of both real-time imaging and access to structures within and adjacent to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Hence, EUS-guided therapeutic techniques continue to evolve in several directions enabling a variety of minimally invasive therapies for pancreatic and biliary pathologies. Furthermore, the close proximity of the GI tract to vascular structures in the mediastinum and abdomen permits EUS-guided vascular access and therapy. Studies have demonstrated several EUS-guided vascular interventions by using standard endoscopic accessories and available tools from the interventional radiology armamentarium. This article provides an overview of the literature including clinical and nonclinical studies for the management of nonvariceal and variceal GI bleeding, formation of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IPSS), and EUS-guided cardiac access and therapy.

Argon plasma coagulation for the endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal tumor bleeding: A retrospective comparison with a non-treated historical cohort

BACKGROUND

The endoscopic use of argon plasma coagulation (APC) to achieve hemostasis for upper gastrointestinal tumor bleeding (UGITB) has not been adequately evaluated in controlled trials. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of APC for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from malignant lesions.

METHODS

Between January and September 2011, all patients with UGITB underwent high-potency APC therapy (up to 70 Watts). This group was compared with a historical cohort of patients admitted between January and December 2010, when the endoscopic treatment of bleeding malignancies was not routinely performed. Patients were stratified into two categories, grouping the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale: Category I (ECOG 0-2) patients with a good clinical status and Category II (ECOG 3-4) patients with a poor clinical status.

RESULTS

Our study had 25 patients with UGITB whom underwent APC treatment and 28 patients whom received no endoscopic therapy. The clinical characteristics of the groups were similar, except for endoscopic active bleeding, which was more frequently detected in APC group. We had 15 patients in the APC group whom had active bleeding, and initial hemostasis was obtained in 11 of them (73.3%). In the control group, four patients had active bleeding. There were no differences in 30-day re-bleeding (33.3% in the APC group versus 14.3% in the control group; p = 0.104) and 30-day mortality rates (20.8% in the APC group, versus 42.9% in the control group; p = 0.091). When patients were categorized according to their ECOG status, we found that APC therapy had no impact in re-bleeding and mortality rates (Group I: APC versus no endoscopic treatment: re-bleeding p = 0.412, mortality p = 0.669; Group II: APC versus no endoscopic treatment: re-bleeding p = 0.505, mortality p = 0.580). Hematemesis and site of bleeding located at the esophagus or duodenum were associated with a higher 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic hemostasis of UGITB with APC has no significant impact on 30-day re-bleeding and mortality rates, irrespective of patient performance status.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided intravascular therapy

The gastrointestinal tract provides a unique "window" to access vascular structures in the mediastinum and abdomen. The advent of interventional endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has enabled access to these structures with a standard fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needle. Sclerosants, cyanoacrylate, and coils can be delivered through the lumen of the FNA needle. EUS-guided treatment of gastric varices has theoretical advantages over conventional endoscopy-guided treatment. Controlled studies are needed to determine the role of EUS-guided treatment for primary and secondary prevention of variceal bleeding. There is a growing list of novel indications for EUS-guided vascular therapy that include portal vein angiography and pressure measurements, intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement, and micro coil embolization of vascular structures. Additionally, access and therapy of the heart and surrounding structures appears feasible.

EUS-guided vascular access and therapy

The gastrointestinal tract provides a unique window to access vascular structures in the mediastinum and abdomen. The advent of interventional endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has enabled access to these structures with standard fine-needle aspiration. EUS-guided treatment of varices has been largely reserved as rescue therapy for refractory bleeding but has theoretic advantages over conventional endoscopy-guided treatment. Data are limited and multicenter, prospective controlled trials are needed to show clinical effectiveness and safety in humans. The development of new tools designed for EUS-guided vascular therapy is needed.

Evaluation of hemostasis with soft coagulation using endoscopic hemostatic forceps in comparison with metallic hemoclips for bleeding gastric ulcers: a prospective, randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic high-frequency soft coagulation, recently developed in Japan, is available for the management of gastric bleeding in cases of bleeding gastric ulcers and bleeding during endoscopic submucosal dissection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hemostasis with soft coagulation for bleeding gastric ulcers by comparing it with hemoclips in a prospective, randomized trial.

METHODS

During the period of April 2006 to March 2008, 96 patients that had gastric ulcers with bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels were enrolled in this study. All of the 96 patients were randomly divided into two groups: endoscopic hemostasis with soft coagulation (Group I) or endoscopic hemoclipping (Group II).

RESULTS

A total of 41 (85%) out of 48 patients in Group I and 38 (79%) out of 48 patients in Group II were successfully treated with soft coagulation or clipping alone, respectively. The endoscopic hemostasis rate for the initial modality in combination with another endoscopic procedure performed after the initial method was 98% in both groups. One patient in Group I (2%) and five patients in Group II (10%) experienced recurrent bleeding. The time required to achieve hemostasis was shorter in Group I compared with Group II (9.2 +/- 11.1 vs. 13.6 +/- 9.4 min; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that soft coagulation is as effective as hemoclipping for treating bleeding gastric ulcers. The time required to achieve hemostasis was shorter with the soft coagulation procedure.

Endoscopic hemostasis techniques for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: A review

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is an urgent disease that is often encountered in daily medical practice. Endoscopic hemostasis is currently indispensable for the treatment of UGIH. Initially, when UGIH is suspected, a cause of UGIH is presumed from the medical interview and physical findings. After ample primary treatment, urgent endoscopy is performed. Many methods of endoscopic hemostasis are in wide use, including hemoclip, injection and thermo-coagulation methods. Although UGIH develops from a wide variety of diseases, such as esophageal varices and gastric and duodenal ulcer, hemostasis is almost always possible. Identification of the causative diseases, primary treatment and characteristic features of endoscopic hemostasis are needed to allow appropriate treatment.

The beneficial effects of argon plasma coagulation in the management of different types of gastric vascular ectasia lesions in patients admitted for GI hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Despite different forms of treatment, few studies have been performed on the outcome and prognosis of patients admitted to the hospital because of gastric vascular ectasia (GVE) and upper-GI bleeding (UGIB). There is also little knowledge on the efficacy of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in different subgroups of GVE lesions.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of APC in patients admitted to the hospital with UGIB because of GVE.

DESIGN

Prospective evaluation of consecutive cases of UGIB because of GVE.

SETTING

Tertiary and university-affiliated hospital.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Twenty-nine patients were included and divided into 3 subgroups: focal vascular ectasia lesions (FVE) (n = 10), portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) (n = 11), and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) (n = 8). Patients were followed at 3 months and every 6 months thereafter during a mean of 23.1 months (range 18-37 months). All patients received intensive APC treatment that was repeated, depending on the endoscopic appearance or clinical evaluation.

RESULTS

The overall success of APC treatment was 86%, with only one recurrence of UGIB during the follow-up period. The number of APC sessions was 1.2, 2.2, and 2.3, in each subgroup (not significant), with a total number of sessions of 1.9 +/- 1.3. Treatment success was 90% in the FVE group, 81% in the PHG group, and 87.5% in the GAVE group (NS). The rise in hematocrit from baseline values in the overall group and in each subgroup was significant (P > .01).

LIMITATIONS

A single-center study and small sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic thermal ablation with APC is effective in managing UGIB and in reducing transfusion requirements in patients admitted for GI hemorrhage because of different endoscopic types of GVE.

[Argon-plasma coagulation as a primary therapeutic method for the treatment of flat duodenal adenomas]

BACKGROUND

Argon-plasma coagulation is a method for tissue coagulation that uses high-frequency electric energy and ionized argon gas. It is used in endoscopic haemostasis and in coagulation of smaller, superficial lesion on gastrointestinal mucosa such as flat adenomas, but also in reduction of tumor tissue.

CASE REPORT

We presented a patient with flat adenoma duodeni. Adenoma had been treated with argon plasma coagulation, in one act, and with a complete restitution of mucosa in further follows up.

CONCLUSION

Argon plasma can be efficiently used in coagulation of superficial lesion of gastrointestinal mucosa, that belongs to the type of flat adenomas, as well as other superficial lesions of mucosa that require endoscopic mucosectomy from smaller, bordered spaces.

Acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: endoscopic diagnosis and therapy

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a relatively common,potentially life-threatening condition that causes more than 300,000 hospital admissions and about 30,000 deaths per annum in America. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis and therapy of upper gastrointestinal bleeding lesions. Endoscopic therapy is indicated for lesions with high risk stigmata of recent hemorrhage, including active bleeding, oozing, a visible vessel, and possibly an adherent clot. Endoscopic therapies include injection therapy, such as epinephrine or sclerosant injection; ablative therapy, such as heater probe or argon plasma coagulation; and mechanical therapy, such as endoclips or endoscopic banding. Endoscopic therapy reduces the risk of rebleeding,the need for blood transfusions, the requirement for surgery, and patient morbidity.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided angiotherapy of refractory gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND

There are well-established methods for treating gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, although some lesions prove refractory to conventional techniques. Little consideration has been directed toward the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the management of refractory bleeding.

AIMS

To discuss patient selection, technique, and clinical outcomes for EUS-guided angiotherapy for severe refractory bleeding after conventional therapies.

METHODS

The EUS database was reviewed to identify all patients who underwent EUS-directed angiotherapy.

RESULTS

Five patients, four with severe bleeding from hemosuccus pancreaticus, Dieulafoy lesion, duodenal ulcer, or gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and one with occult GI bleeding, had an average of three prior episodes (range 2-4) of severe bleeding and had received 18 (range 14-25) units of packed red blood cells (PRBC). All had failed in at least two conventional attempts to control the bleeding. Under EUS guidance, 99% alcohol was injected (4-7 mL) in two patients, one each with a pancreatic pseudoaneurysm and a duodenal Dieulafoy lesion. In three other patients, cyanoacrylate (3-5 mL) was injected into a duodenal ulcer, and in two patients with a GIST. No patient rebled and no complications were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-guided angiotherapy appears safe and effective in managing selected patients with clinically severe or occult GI bleeding from lesions potentially refractory to standard endoscopic and/or angiographic techniques. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy and to refine the selection criteria in an effort to improve patient care.

[Endoscopic diagnosis and therapy for gastrointestinal bleeding]

Gastrointestinal bleeding is still one of the most frequent medical emergencies. Despite improvements in endoscopic diagnosis and therapy, mortality from bleeding is still high (15%). Since conclusive trials are lacking, the endoscopist often has to rely on personal experience in the selection of therapeutic options. Therefore this article gives an overview of new publications in this field and recommendations based on personal experience.

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: standard and new treatment

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains a challenging problem with a significant morbidity and mortality. In recent years endoscopic techniques have evolved, resulting in improved primary hemostasis and a reduction in the risk of rebleeding. Combination endoscopic therapy followed by high-dose proton pump inhibitor shows improved outcomes. Innovative endoscopic therapies hold promise but are as yet unproved. An aging population with significant medical comorbidities has a major influence on the overall outcome from upper gastrointestinal bleeding.