Over-The-Scope Clip system as a first-line therapy for high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Effective hemostasis is essential to prevent rebleeding. We evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of the Over-The-Scope Clip (OTSC) system compared to combined therapy (through-the-scope clips with epinephrine injection) as a first-line endoscopic treatment for high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 95 patients from a single, tertiary center and underwent either OTSC (n = 46) or combined therapy (n = 49). The primary outcome of the present study was the efficacy of the OTSC system as a first-line therapy in patients with high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers compared to combined therapy with TTS clips and epinephrine injection. The secondary outcomes included the rebleeding rate, perforation rate, mean procedure time, reintervention rate, mean procedure cost and days of hospitalization in the two study groups within 30 days of the index procedure. RESULTS: All patients achieved hemostasis within the procedure; two patients in the OTSC group and four patients in the combined therapy group developed rebleeding (p = 0.444). No patients experienced gastrointestinal perforation. OTSC had a shorter median procedure time than combined therapy (11 min versus 20 min; p < 0.001). The procedure cost was superior for OTSC compared to combined therapy ($102,000 versus $101,000; p < 0.001). We found no significant difference in the rebleeding prevention rate (95.6% versus 91.8%, p = 0.678), hospitalization days (3 days versus 4 days; p = 0.215), and hospitalization costs ($108,000 versus $240,000, p = 0.215) of the OTSC group compared to the combined therapy group. CONCLUSION: OTSC treatment is an effective and feasible first-line therapy for high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers. OTSC confers comparable costs and patient outcomes as combined treatments, with a shorter procedure time.

Low-molecular-weight heparin followed by rivaroxaban for acute occlusive portomesenteric vein thrombosis in a cirrhotic patient treated with multiple endoscopic variceal procedures.

Acute portomesenteric vein thrombosis is potentially lethal. In the present paper, a cirrhotic patient with a previous history of esophageal variceal bleeding presented with acute occlusive portomesenteric vein thrombosis, but achieved complete recanalization by low-molecular-weight heparin followed by rivaroxaban. Notably, no bleeding episode occurred during anticoagulation therapy. This case supported early initiation of anticoagulation in such patients.

Randomized controlled trial of hemostatic powder versus endoscopic clipping for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite advances in pharmacological and endoscopic management of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB), mortality is still relevant. TC-325 (Hemospray-Cook Medical) is a mineral powder with adsorptive properties, designed for endoscopic hemostasis. There are still no comparative trials studying this new hemostatic modality. The objective of this research was to compare the use of TC-325 (associated with epinephrine injection) with the combined technique of endoscopic clipping and epinephrine injection for the treatment of patients with NVUGIB. METHODS: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial with patients that presented NVUGIB with an actively bleeding lesion at the endoscopic evaluation. Patients were randomized either to the Hemospray or Hemoclip group. The randomization list was generated by a computer program and remained unknown throughout the entire trial. All patients underwent second-look endoscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were enrolled. Peptic ulcer was the most frequent etiology. Primary hemostasis was achieved in all Hemospray cases and in 90% of Hemoclip group (p = 0.487). Five patients in Hemospray group underwent an additional hemostatic procedure during second-look endoscopy, while no patient in the Hemoclip group needed it (p = 0.04). Rebleeding, emergency surgery and mortality rates were similar in both groups. No toxicity, allergy events, or gastrointestinal obstruction signs were observed in Hemospray group. CONCLUSIONS: TC-325 presents similar hemostatic results when compared with conventional dual therapy for patients with NVUGIB. Hemospray's excellent primary hemostasis rate certifies it as a valuable tool in arduous situations of severe bleeding or difficult location site.

Treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding with hemostatic powder (TC-325): a multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Hemostatic powder (TC-325) is a new tool for treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding that allows the treatment of large surfaces with active bleeding. The aim was to describe the initial success of TC-325 for the control of GI bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a multicenter cohort study with patients admitted to the endoscopy service for GI bleeding. A format was generated to standardize the information obtained in each center. It was determined whether this treatment had been used as a single therapy or as a combination therapy. Descriptive statistics with medians and ranges, or averages with SD according to distribution. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients with 104 endoscopic procedures were included. The median number of endoscopic procedures was 1 (1-3). In the first procedure, the initial success rate was 98.8% (n = 80), failure rate was 1.2% (n = 1), and rebleeding rate was 20% (n = 16). The majority of rebleeding cases occurred within the first 3 days (12/16, 75%). There was no association between rebleeding and etiology (malignant or benign; P = 0.6). In first procedure, 44 (54%) cases had monotherapy with TC-325 and 37 (46%) cases had a combined endoscopic therapy. There were no differences in initial success or rebleeding rates when TC-325 was used as monotherapy versus combined therapy (P = 0.7). The mortality rate was 4% (3/81). CONCLUSION: TC-325 is effective for achieving initial control of bleeding in patients with different GI etiologies. The rate of bleeding recurrence is considerable in both patients with benign and malignant etiology.

Schistosomal portal hypertension: Randomized trial comparing endoscopic therapy alone or preceded by esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy.

UNLABELLED:  Background. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with portal hypertension secondary to schistosomiasis mansoni. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of combined surgery and sclerotherapy versus endoscopic treatment alone in the prophylaxis of esophageal variceal rebleeding due to portal hypertension in schistosomiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a two-years period consecutive patients with schistosomiasis and a recent bleeding history were evaluated for prospective randomization. Absolute exclusion criteria were alcoholism or other liver diseases, whereas platelet count < 50,000/mm3, INR > 1.5 or presence of gastric varices were relative exclusion criteria. By random allocation 25 (group A) have received endoscopic sclerotherapy for esophageal varices alone and 22 (group B) combined treatment: esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy followed by sclerotherapy. Interim analysis at 24 months has shown significant statistical differences between the groups and the randomization was halted. RESULTS: Mean age was 38.9 ± 15.4 years and 58.46% were male. Mean follow-up was 38.6 ± 20.1 months. Endoscopic comparison of the size of esophageal varices before and after treatment did not show significant differences among the two groups. Treatment efficacy was assessed by the rate of recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding, that was more common in group A- 9/25 patients (36.0%) vs. 2/22 (9.0%) in group B (p = 0.029). Other complications were odynophagia, dysphagia and esophageal ulcer in group A and ascites and portal vein thrombosis in the surgical group. CONCLUSION: In portal hypertension due to schistosomiasis, combined surgical and endoscopic treatment was more effective for the prevention of recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding.

Tratamiento endoscópico por infiltración de hemorragias digestivas altas: experiencias en el Instituto Gastroenterológico Boliviano Japoes 1991-1995 / Endoscopic treatment with infiltration of upper digestive hemorrhage

Nuestro estudio busco determinar el número y tipo de complicaciones en el tratamiento endoscópico de la hemorragia digestiva alta tanto por lesiones varicosas como no varicosas para lo cual se incluyó a 387 pacientes ingresados en el Instsituto Gastroenterológico Boliviano-Japones de Cochabamba, con diagnóstico de H.D.A. desde el año 1991 al 1995 diagnósticando la etiología del sangrado por endocopía, seleccionando a 129 pacientes a quienes se les realizo infiltración endoscópica de las lesiones, utilizandose como sustancias esclerosantes el alcohol absoluto, adrenalina o la combinación de estas drogas. De slos 129 pacientes que se les realizo infiltración endoscópica en 3 (2.32 por ciento) presentaron complicaciones graves que fueron del tipo de perforación esofágica (un caso) y perforación gástrica (dos casos), demostrándose la eficacia del procedimiento y las bajas tasas de complicaciones que son iguales a las descritas en otros centros.