Efficacy and Safety of Ligation Combined With Sclerotherapy for Patients With Acute Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis

Application of a virtual ruler in predicting postoperative rebleeding from esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Esophageal variceal diameter (EVD) is one of the most important predictors of variceal bleeding, as well as an important predictor of the effectiveness of endoscopic esophageal varices (EV) treatments. EVD is currently determined using visual inspection by endoscopic operators, meaning that results can vary widely between operators. This approach also means that cases unsuitable for endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) can be complicated by postoperative hemorrhage. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the value of a virtual ruler (VR) in predicting rebleeding after the endoscopic treatment of EV in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

We enrolled 588 patients with cirrhosis and EV (with and without gastric varices), who were treated with EVL or endoscopic injection sclerotherapy across 3 hospitals. We categorized participants into 2 groups, a nonbleeding group and a rebleeding group, according to whether they bled again after surgery. We compared basic demographic and clinical data, laboratory tests, EVD, and treatment modalities between the 2 groups. Potential risk factors for rebleeding after EV operations were analyzed using univariate and multivariable regression analyses. Correlations between esophageal variceal rebleeding and EVD were also analyzed, as was the consistency between visual EVD estimates and EVD measured using a VR.

RESULTS

Child-Pugh class, albumin (ALB) levels, prothrombin time (PT), EVD (visual value), EVD (VR value), red sign, and the number of laps used for EVL showed statistically significant differences between the rebleeding and nonbleeding groups. Univariate regression analysis showed that Child-Pugh classification, ALB levels, PT, EVD (VR value), and red sign were strongly associated with rebleeding after endoscopic treatment of EV, whereas multivariable regression analysis showed that Child-Pugh classification, ALB levels, and EVD (VR value) were predictive factors for rebleeding after endoscopic treatment of EV. Differences between visual EVD estimates and VR EVD measurements were large. (Kappa value: 0.391, P < .001). However, the 2 methods showed high agreement for EVD >1 cm (87/95) CONCLUSION: EVD (VR value) can more accurately predict rebleeding rates. It can also provide a basis for selecting appropriate endoscopic treatment modalities for EV and effectively circumvent postoperative EV rebleeding.

Case report: Rare genetic liver disease - a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis in adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is considered to be a rare autosomal recessive hereditary fibrocystic liver disease, mainly found in children. However, cases of adult CHF with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) caused by PKD1 gene mutation are extremely rare. We report a 31-year-old female patient admitted for esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding. Physical examination revealed significant splenomegaly, biochemical tests showed a slight increase in liver enzymes, and a decrease in platelet count. Imaging examinations showed significant dilatation of the common bile duct and intrahepatic bile ducts, as well as multiple renal cysts. Liver biopsy revealed enlarged portal areas, bridging fibrosis, and numerous variably shaped small bile ducts. Genetic testing identified two unique mutations in the PKD1 gene, identified as biallelic mutations compound heterozygous mutations composed of a mutation inherited from the father (c.8296 T > C) and one from the mother (c.9653G > C). Based on multiple test results, the patient was diagnosed with the portal hypertension type CHF associated with ADPKD. During her initial hospital stay, the patient underwent endoscopic treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding. To date, the patient has recovered well. Moreover, a significant reduction in varices was observed in a gastroscopy examination 18 months later.

Portal hypertension and emergency care

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To evaluate the peculiarities of the course of complications and the provision of care for portal hypertension associated with the development of diureticresistant ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and variceal bleeding.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: This research is based on a review of the literature in PubMed, CrossRef, Google Scholar sources on complicated portal hypertension. Such complications of portal hypertension as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, ascites, hepatorenal sуndrome, variceal bleeding caused by sinistral portal hypertension are considered. The effectiveness of interventional treatment methods and laparoscopic surgical interventions has been demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Diagnosis and treatment of patients with complicated portal hypertension requires a multidisciplinary approach, which is due to the diverse pathophysiological process of portal hypertension. The possibilities of providing emergency care to this category of patients depend on the level of medical training of the staff, the possibilities of medical and technical support in the provision of interventional care, the ineffectiveness of which necessitates surgical treatment using minimally invasive technologies.

Partial splenic embolization combined with endoscopic therapies and vasoconstrictive drugs reduces rebleeding in cirrhosis patients with acute variceal bleeding and hypersplenism: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of partial splenic embolization (PSE) combined with endoscopic therapy and endoscopic therapy alone in cirrhosis patients with acute variceal bleeding (AVB) and hypersplenism.

METHODS

Cirrhosis patients with AVB who visited three hospitals from June 2016 to June 2022 were prospectively enrolled and randomly allocated to either the endoscopic therapy combined with PSE group (EP group) or the endoscopic intervention group (E group) in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint of the study was re-bleeding of varices during follow-up, and the secondary endpoints were the recurrence of varices, death, and adverse events.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen patients were prospectively included, of whom 110 completed the trial. The risk of variceal re-bleeding (19.3% vs. 40.4% (23/57), p = 0.013) and variceal recurrence (28.1% vs. 63.2%, p < 0.001) five years after treatment was significantly lower in the EP group than in the E group, and the EP treatment was the only significant independent risk factor affecting variceal re-bleeding and variceal recurrence in patients. The mortality rate was comparable between the EP and E groups. Peripheral blood counts and liver function all improved significantly in the EP group compared to the E group during the follow-up (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The rates of variceal re-bleeding and recurrence were significantly lower in cirrhosis patients with AVB and hypersplenism after combined endoscopic and PSE treatment compared to those who were provided endoscopic treatment only. The peripheral blood counts and liver function were also improved significantly in EP group (NCT02778425).

Expert consensus on emergency procedures for portal hypertension bleeding (2022)

Expert consensus proposes an emergency treatment protocol for portal hypertension bleeding. Herein, the emergency treatment procedures, which include first aid, medical, interventional, and surgical treatments, are described. In addition, the indications, contraindications, operating norms, precautions, and prevention of complications of portal hypertension are described to optimize the first aid process.

Esophageal variceal ligation plus sclerotherapy vs. ligation alone for the treatment of esophageal varices

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of esophageal variceal ligation (EVL) vs. EVL combined with endoscopic injection sclerosis (EIS) in the therapy of esophageal varices.

METHODS

Patients from January 2017 to August 2021 who received EVL alone (control group) or EVL plus EIS (intervention group) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Efficacy, including rebleeding (clinically hematemesis or melena, confirmed by endoscopy as esophagogastric varices bleeding), variceal recurrence rate (the presence of esophagogastric varices which is needed to be treated again) the number of sessions performed to complete eradication of varices, and safety (adverse events) were compared. The variceal recurrence-associated factors were derived by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The variceal recurrence and rebleeding rate in the intervention group showed significantly lower than the control group (2.6% vs 10.3%, P = 0.006 and 20.7% vs 37.5%, P = 0.029, P = 0.006, respectively, in the 12-month follow-up). The adverse events (fever, chest pain, swallowing, and esophageal stricture) showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Further research showed that the efficacy of the intervention group was better than the control group only achieved in prophylactically endoscopic treatment patients. The diameter of esophageal varices and gastric varices co-exist showed significant effects on variceal recurrence in intervention group [odds ratio (OR) = 15.856; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.709-160.143; P = 0.016 and OR = 4.5; 95% CI, 1.42-20.028; P = 0.021; respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention group may obtain lower recurrence, rebleeding rate, and fewer sessions performed to complete eradication of varices (number of sessions) and similar incidence of adverse events, especially for prophylactically treatment. Among the intervention group, the diameter of esophageal varices and gastric varices were closely associated with variceal recurrence.