Endoscopic Cyanoacrylate Injection with Post-injection Audible Doppler Assessment of Gastric Varices: A Single-Institution Experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric varices (GV) have higher rates of morbidity and mortality from hemorrhage than esophageal varices. Several studies have shown the safety and efficacy of cyanoacrylate (CA) injection for acute gastric variceal hemorrhage. We report data from our experience with CA injection for GV before and after routine use of post-injection audible Doppler assessment (ADA) for GV obturation and describe long-term outcomes after this therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients who had documented GV, underwent CA injection, and had at least 2 weeks of follow-up. We recorded and analyzed the survival and rebleeding rates with patient demographics, clinical data, and endoscopy findings between two groups of patients who were categorized by CA injection prior to and after inception of the ADA technique. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were identified with 16 patients analyzed in a group where ADA was not used (Pre-ADA) and 55 analyzed where ADA was used (Post-ADA). No rebleeding events were observed within 1 week of initial CA injection. No embolic events were reported after any initial CA injection within 4 weeks. The rate of bleed-free survival at 1 year was 69.6% in the Pre-ADA group and 85.8% in the Post-ADA without statistical significance. The all-cause 1-year mortality was 13.8% in the Pre-ADA group and 10.7% in the Post-ADA group without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: ADA of CA-injected GV does not appear to significantly affect adverse events or clinical outcomes; however, our findings are limited by small sample size and cohort proportions allowing for significant type II statistical error. Further prospective investigation is required to determine the impact of ADA on clinical outcomes after GV obturation.

Complications of transthoracic needle biopsy decreased with isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate: a pilot study.

To explore the possibility of performing percutaneous lung biopsy safely in patients mechanically ventilated with positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP), transthoracic needle biopsy was performed in 16 anesthetized mongrel dogs mechanically ventilated with 10 cm H2O of PEEP. To obtain the biopsy sample, a 25-gauge "skinny needle" was passed through a 20-gauge sheath and placed up to 6.25 cm deep. After satisfactory samples were obtained, both needles were withdrawn in the control group, but in the treated group, the outer sheath was used to inject 0.5 ml of isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate to seal the needle track. Pneumothorax was present in 7 (87.5%) of 8 dogs in the control group and in 2 (25%) of 8 dogs in the treated group (p = .0147). Lung tissue exhibited an apparent foreign-body granulomatous inflammatory reaction. This technique could extend the benefits of transthoracic needle biopsy to mechanically ventilated patients, but further studies to prove the safety of isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate are necessary.

Histopathologic effects of transarterial bucrylate occlusion of intracerebral arteries in mongrel dogs.

Bucrylate was injected directly into the cerebral cortical arteries of mongrel dogs. Preparations for light and electron microscopy were obtained from 5 min to 5 months after the introduction of the polymer. A mixed pattern of damage to arterial endothelium was seen, including electron microscopic documentation of stripping away of the endothelium. Acute effects include a subocclusive thrombogenic matrix, which causes partial or complete thrombosis. The long-term reactions are those of a chronic inflammatory response to a foreign body.

Symptomatic pulmonary complications from liquid acrylate embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations.

PURPOSE: To describe symptomatic pulmonary emboli from brain arteriovenous malformation embolization with liquid acrylates and to analyze the reasons for these complications and describe preventive techniques. METHODS: The clinical records of 182 patients embolized with acrylate glue since 1978 for treatment of brain AVMs were searched for evidence of symptomatic pulmonary complications. Originally iso-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate and more recently n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate were used in all patients. Arteriovenous malformation morphology, amounts and techniques of glue injection, and clinical and radiologic investigations in the symptomatic patients were recorded. RESULTS: Three patients had pulmonary symptoms within 48 hours of glue injection. One patient with a left frontal arteriovenous malformation had embolization with an isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate/pantopaque/acetic acid mixture; severe pleuritic chest pain developed 2 days later. One patient with a left temporal and one with a left cerebellar arteriovenous malformation had embolization with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate/lipiodol mixtures; a cough, pleuritic chest pain, and bloody sputum developed in both within 24 hours. Two patients experienced a significant drop in PO2. No flow-arrest techniques were used for any of the injections in these three patients. All patients demonstrated significant changes on chest x-ray and CT chest examinations. All were treated conservatively and recovered spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic pulmonary complications can occur after acrylate glue injection, particularly when delivery systems without flow arrest are used in high-flow vascular brain lesions. Techniques using acetic acid to delay polymerization time and "sandwich" techniques in which glue is pushed with dextrose are also more susceptible to this complication.

Cure, morbidity, and mortality associated with embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations: a review of 1246 patients in 32 series over a 35-year period.

Published reports of cure, morbidity, and mortality associated with the embolization of 1246 brain arteriovenous malformations during the last 35 years were reviewed. Embolization resulted in cure in 5% of arteriovenous malformations. The cure rates of embolization were 4% in reports of 708 patients published before 1990 and 5% in reports of 538 patients published since 1990 (P = not significant). Temporary morbidity from embolization was 10%, and permanent morbidity was 8%. Permanent morbidity was 9% before 1990 and 8% since 1990 (P = not significant). Death after embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations occurred in 1% of patients. Mortality associated with the embolization was 2% before 1990 and 1% since 1990 (P = not significant). Long-term morbidity associated with the use of neurotoxic embolization materials is worrisome but has never been proven.

Staining procedure to aid in assessment of bucrylate histotoxicity in tissue sections.

Isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate (bucrylate) is commonly used as a material for therapeutic embolization. Histologic sections of embolized tissue routinely stained with hematoxylin-eosin show the bucrylate as a translucent material. We outline a staining procedure that demonstrates bucrylate in tissue sections. It is useful in routinely prepared paraffin-embedded tissue, and it is also effective after embolized tissues have been processed with petroleum ether rather than xylene. This stain may be effectively utilized to assess harmful tissue reactions to bucrylate.

Experience with bucrylate (isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate) embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations during surgery.

The clinical experience with five patients selected for embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations with bucrylate (isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate) during surgery is described. Bucrylate embolization was used to obliterate one arteriovenous malformation with a dominant nutrient arterial network, and to facilitate surgical resection in two other cases. The extent of the embolization in one of these cases was limited because of segmental perfusion of the AVM nidus by different nutrient arteries. Histological examination of this arteriovenous malformation, resected 56 days after embolization, suggested bucrylate has minimal histotoxicity. Two arteriovenous malformations were found at operation to be unsuitable for embolization because of technical problems with access and exposure of nutrient arteries, and also because of vagaries in the angiographic data before surgery. In two cases, rapid polymerization of bucrylate resulted in gluing of the injection catheters into the arterial lumen. Two patients experienced transient postoperative neurological deficits after bucrylate embolization. Because of the potential hazards of the technique, direct bucrylate embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations should only be considered for those lesions felt unsuitable for direct microsurgical excision, and where facilities exist for recording angiographic data before surgery.

Evaluation of three cyanoacrylate glues for ossicular reconstruction.

We evaluated and compared the separate effects of ethyl, isobutyl, and fluoroalkyl cyanoacrylate on the promontory mucosa and surgically disarticulated incudostapedial joint in the adult cat middle ear. The animals were sacrificed at 10-, 30-, and 60-day intervals after glue application. All three cyanoacrylates elicited a chronic inflammatory response when placed directly on the promontory mucosa. The use of ethyl and isobutyl cyanoacrylate resulted in persisting discontinuity of the incudostapedial joint with erosion of the incus. Fluoroalkyl cyanoacrylate maintained incudostapedial continuity without ossicular erosion. Ethyl and isobutyl cyanoacrylate are probably not appropriate for middle ear surgery. The less toxic fluoroalkyl cyanoacrylate may be useful as an ossicular adhesive in selected cases. Our findings are further contrasted with those obtained in similar studies with methyl and butyl cyanoacrylate. The effects of each of the five cyanoacrylates are reviewed in the continuing search for a safe and effective ossicular adhesive.

[Endoscopic obturation of esophagogastric varices with bucrylate. II. Morphologic study based on 12 autopsy cases]. / Obturation endoscopique des varices oeso-gastriques par le Bucrylate. II--Etude morphologique à partir de 12 cas autopsiés.

The authors report the results of postmortem histopathological studies in 12 patients who had been treated by endoscopic obliteration of esophagogastric varices with Bucrylate (isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate). All patients had cirrhosis; 11 patients were Pugh classe C. Eleven patients had esophageal injections. Acute esophageal lesions were characterized by ulcerations in obliterated varices and diffusion of Bucrylate into the esophageal wall. Chronic lesions were characterized by disappearance of varices and Bucrylate, extending fibrosis of the esophageal wall and re-epithelialization of the mucosa. In one patient who had received gastric injections only, non ulcerated Bucrylate filled gastric varices were seen. Bucrylate seems to have a dual action on esophageal varices: immediate obliteration and acute necrosis of the vascular endothelium. Necrosis causes diffusion of Bucrylate through the esophageal wall, and later, secondary fibrosis whereas the product is progressively eliminated into the esophageal lumen.

[Endoscopic obturation of esophagogastric varices with bucrylate. I. Clinical study of 49 patients]. / Obturation endoscopique des varices oeso-gastriques par le Bucrylate. I--Etude clinique de 49 malades.

The authors report the results of endoscopic obliteration of recently bleeding esophagogastric varices with Bucrylate (isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate) in 49 patients. Forty-five patients had cirrhosis; in all patients, propranolol was contraindicated or had failed, hepatocellular function was poor, or early rebleeding had occurred. In 15 cases, injections were made during active bleeding of esophageal or gastric varices; in 14 cases, the hemorrhage stopped immediately. The cumulative percentages of patients free of variceal rebleeding 1.6 and 12 months after inclusion were 88.63 and 58 p. 100 respectively. The cumulative percentages of patients surviving 1, 12 and 18 months after inclusion were 70, 53 and 46 p. 100 respectively. The cumulative percentages of survival at 6 months after inclusion were 100.63 and 13 p. 100 in grade A, B and C patients respectively. The major causes of death were liver failure and sepsis; autopsy revealed mediastinitis in 3 patients. Long-lasting esophageal strictures developed in two patients. This procedure differs from endoscopic sclerotherapy in that gastric varices can be adequately obliterated and the risk of early rebleeding seems to be decreased.

[Cerebrovascular accidents after endoscopic obturation of esophageal varices with isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate in 2 patients]. / Accidents vasculaires cérébraux après obturation endoscopique des varices oesophagiennes par l'isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate chez deux malades.

We report 2 cases of cerebral stroke in cirrhotic patients following endoscopic obturation of esophageal varices with Isobutyl-2-Cyanoacrylate. In both cases, hemiplegia appeared several hours after the procedure. A brain CT scan showed radiodense material in the cerebral arteries due to dissemination of Isobutyl-2-Cyanoacrylate. One patient died, the other improved slowly. Different hypotheses may be raised: defectuous injection into the arterial circulation, systemic emboli via portopulmonary venous shunts, delayed polymerization of Isobutyl-2-Cyanoacrylate. Systemic emboli have been reported previously following percutaneous transhepatic obliteration of esophageal varices, suggesting portopulmonary venous shunts. In spite of these 2 complications, this procedure remains useful in stopping acute variceal bleeding and in preventing recurrent bleeding.

The capnograph, a reliable non-invasive monitor for the detection of pulmonary embolism of various origin.

The wash-out curve in the capnogram is known to be a sign of pulmonary air embolism. This characteristic pattern is also seen in the case of pulmonary embolism of other nature. Capnographic recordings were studied retrospectively and 22 wash-out curves were found. The quantitative change in end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration was compared with the change in other, circulatory parameters known to change in the case of pulmonary air embolism. There proved to be a quantitative correlation between the decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration and the change in pulmonary artery pressure, central venous pressure and mean arterial pressure. The capnograph showed to be a reliable monitor for the detection of pulmonary embolism of various origin just like pulmonary artery pressure monitoring is. In cases with concomitant Doppler ultrasound detection, the capnograph showed to be a more reliable monitor for the detection of pulmonary air embolism as is the Doppler ultrasound device.

An unusual cause of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm: acrylate embolism.

Sclerotherapy is commonly used to manage bleeding from oesophageal varices. In a patient with cirrhosis of the liver, sclerotherapy with bucrylate was followed by a pulmonary embolism and then by a decline in general health. A chest radiograph taken 5 months later disclosed a left perihilar opacity, surrounding and invading the pulmonary artery. Despite moderate fixation by positron emission tomography and inconclusive bronchoscopy findings, an upper left lobectomy was deemed in order. A left pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm was found during the surgery. The pseudoaneurysm ruptured during dissection, requiring a left pneumonectomy. The pathological examination showed shredding of the left pulmonary artery, which contained foreign material. At points of contact with this material, destruction and severe polymorphic inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma were noted. There was no evidence of tumour or infection. These findings strongly suggested an iatrogenic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm related to a bucrylate embolism through porto-systemic vascular shunts. We are not aware of previously reported cases.

Therapeutic embolization with long-term occluding agents and their effects on embolized tissues.

The effects of long-term occlusion of branches of the celiac and renal arteries were studied in 13 pigs, using isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate (ibc), the Gianturco-Anderson-Wallace wool coil, and lvalon. IBC permanently occluded 2- to 8-cm lengths of both vessels, including their branches so that collateral circulation was not able to preserve the tissue supplied by the occluded artery. Gastric ulcers, splenic and hepatic infarcts, and large, sterile biliary cysts were observed on postmortem examination. Permanent occlusion was also observed with the wool coil and lvalon, but the pathological results were much less deleterious. The authors conclude that IBC is presently unsafe for use in branches of the celiac artery.

Cyanoacrylate for closure of wounds in the oral mucosa in dogs.

The local clinical and histological reactions resulting from the use of a tissue adhesive, isobutylcyanoacrylate, were studied in the oral cavity of dogs. In each of 4 animals, 6 pairs of parallel incisions were made in the buccal mucosa. One incision in each pair was closed with adhesive material while the other incision was sutured with silk. The wounds were studied clinically and histologically at intervals ranging from 2 to 21 days. Clinically there were differences in the healing between gland glued and sutured incisions during the first 11 days. After 11 days the healing reactions were approximately the same in both groups. Histologically, the adhesive caused a delayed and disturbed healing of both the epithelium and connective tissue compared with that observed when sutures were used. As a result of this investigation, isobutylcyanoacrylate is not recommended for use instead of conventional and modern suturing materials when closing intraoral wounds.