Mastering Core Recommendations during HEPAtology ROUNDS in Patients with Advanced Chronic Liver Disease.

Efficient and thorough care of hospitalized patients with advanced chronic liver disease is of utter importance to improve outcomes and optimize quality of life. This requires understanding current evidence and best practices. To facilitate focus on up-to-date knowledge and a practical approach, we have created the HEPA-ROUNDS mnemonic while outlining a practical review of the literature with critical appraisal for the busy clinician. The HEPA-ROUNDS mnemonic provides a structured approach that incorporates critical concepts in terms of prevention, management, and prognostication of the most common complications frequently encountered in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. In addition, implementing the HEPA-ROUNDS mnemonic can facilitate education for trainees and staff caring for patients with advanced chronic liver disease.

Variceal Bleeding: Beyond Banding.

Despite advances in the management of complications of portal hypertension, variceal bleeding continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While endoscopic variceal band ligation remains first line therapy for treating bleeding and high-risk non-bleeding esophageal varices, alternate therapies have been explored, particularly in cases of refractory bleeding. The therapies being explored include stent placement, hemostatic powder use, over-the-scope clips and others. For gastric variceal bleeding, endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapies have recently emerged as promising interventions for hemostasis. The aim of this article is to highlight these alternative therapies and their potential role in the management of gastric and esophageal variceal bleeding.

Enteric tube placement in patients with esophageal varices: Risks and predictors of postinsertion gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Enteric tube (ET) placement is approached with caution in patients with esophageal varices (EV) due to concern of causing variceal bleeding. Data are limited on rates and predictors of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in these patients. This study aims to assess the rate and predictors of bleeding from EV after ET placement. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review on patients requiring ET access with known EV. Inclusion criteria were age >18 with endoscopically proven EV who required ET placement. Patients who were admitted with, or developed a GIB prior to placement of ET were excluded, as were patients admitted for liver transplantation. Primary outcome was incidence of GIB within 48 h of tube placement. Secondary outcome was a >2 g/dL drop in hemoglobin within 48 h of placement without evidence of bleed. Statistical analysis was performed using Fischer's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and univariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients were included in the analysis. The most common etiology of cirrhosis was alcohol (44%). The most common location of EV was in the lower third of the esophagus (61%). The primary outcome was observed in 11 (14.6%) patients. The secondary outcome was found in eight (10.6%) patients. On univariate analysis, GIB was associated with higher MELD-Na (P = 0.026) and EV located in the lower third of the esophagus (P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: ET placement in patients with EV is associated with low risk of bleeding. Elevated MELD-Na and lower EV location conferred a higher risk of bleeding after ET placement.

Segmental Colitis Associated With Diverticulosis Causing Hydroureteronephrosis.

Segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) is a rare inflammatory condition affecting segments of the colon with diverticular disease. We present an 85-year-old woman with flank pain, fevers, and chills found on imaging to have left colonic wall thickening and left-sided hydroureteronephrosis and workup confirming a diagnosis of SCAD. A detailed review of SCAD and discussion of the differential diagnosis are provided. This case emphasizes disease-specific clinical pearls and highlights hydroureteronephrosis as a rare complication seen in a patient with SCAD.

Efficacy and Safety of Novel, Disposable Endoscopic Scissors in Patients with Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Single-Center Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Retained suture material from primary Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or revisions may result in local inflammation, ulcer formation, and abdominal pain. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of novel, disposable endoscopic scissors for suture removal. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from December 2016 to January 2019. Patients with history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and upper endoscopy utilizing this novel, disposable endoscopic scissors device were reviewed. Measured outcomes included endoscopy indication, technical success (as determined by ability to achieve adequate cut and suture removal), improvement in abdominal pain if present prior to procedure, and adverse events. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included in this analysis. Mean age was 54.69 ± 9.40 years. Eighty-eight percent of patients were female. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass occurred on average 142.43 ± 62.33 months prior to suture removal. Primary indications for endoscopy were evaluation of gastric pouch and gastrojejunal anastomosis for weight regain (37.10%) and abdominal pain (30.65%). Overall, technical success of these novel endoscopic scissors was 100% with a mean procedure duration of 23.00 ± 9.50 min. Symptom improvement post-suture removal occurred in approximately half of the patients (48.65%). Post-procedure bleeding was self-limited and occurred in 2 patients (3.23%). Two patients developed transient post-procedure abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Novel, disposable endoscopic scissors appear to be highly effective and safe for removal of suture material with high technical success and minimal adverse events.