Endoscopic ultrasonographic study of the azygos vein before and after endoscopic obliteration of esophagogastric varices by injection sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The azygos vein plays an important role as a drainage system for the superior portosystemic collateral circulation in portal hypertensive patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and Doppler EUS allow the performance of hemodynamic studies of the azygos vein. In this study, we observed the changes in the azygos vein which occur with variceal obliteration by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited patients with portal hypertension and bleeding varices who were not on portal pressure-lowering agents and who were scheduled for the EIS program. EUS was performed in these patients to study the azygos vein at the start of EIS. The azygos vein diameter, maximal velocity (Vmax), and blood flow volume index (BFVI) were measured. After variceal obliteration and within 1 week, another EUS study of the azygos vein was carried out. RESULTS: Out of 40 patients recruited into the study variceal obliteration and EUS assessment of the azygos vein, within 1 week of obliteration, was achieved in 33. We noticed a significant increase in azygos vein diameter (P<0.001) and BFVI (P=0.001) following variceal obliteration. No significant change was observed in Vmax (P>0.05). In one patient, marked caliber irregularities were observed in the azygos vein after variceal obliteration. CONCLUSIONS: Using EUS and Doppler EUS, hemodynamic studies of the azygos vein blood flow can be performed, allowing the monitoring of the effects of EIS and variceal obliteration on the superior portosystemic collateral circulation. The clinical significance of the observed changes in azygos blood flow that occur with variceal obliteration should be investigated in further studies and correlated with short-term and long-term outcome.     

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound in esophagogastric varices

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluation of esophagogastric varices and guidance of endoscopic therapy. EUS can visualize not only collateral veins around the esophagus but also perforating veins that connect esophageal varices with collateral veins. They are associated with high risk of bleeding and early recurrence after initial variceal eradication. Isolated gastric varices can be easily diagnosed using EUS that mimic thickened gastric folds or subepithelial tumors. EUS-guided endoscopic therapy is a challenging field of variceal bleeding. It has a potential role for assistance of interventions and evaluation of treatment outcome.     

内镜超声评估门静脉高压性出血风险及静脉曲张复发进展

门静脉高压可导致食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血(EVB),严重时危及生命,需尽快干预.近年来,内镜超声检查(EUS)技术发展迅速,可直接显示食管及胃黏膜表面曲张静脉和大部分门静脉属支及侧支循环,有助于预测EVB及静脉曲张复发.本文就EUS评估门静脉高压性出血及静脉曲张复发进展进行综述.     

Role of percutaneous transhepatic obliteration for special types of varices with portal hypertension

The treatment of special types of varices with portal hypertension has not yet been established. We were able to control 13 cases of special types of varices by percutaneous transhepatic obliteration (PTO). These 13 cases consisted of 2 esophagojejunal varices after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, 1 stoma varices after abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer, 2 mesenteric varices with encephalopathy, 1 gastric variceal rupture, 1 gastrorenal and gastroazygos shunt with encephalopathy, 3 giant bar-type esophageal varices, 2 isolated gastric varices with gastropericardiac shunts, and 1 isolated gastric varices with gastrophrenic shunt. The special types of varices were successfully embolized in all cases and there were no complications. We conclude that the PTO is still an effective and safe treatment for special types of varices with portal hypertension.     

Variceal bleeding and portal hypertension: much to learn, much to explore

The newer diagnostic and therapeutic options continue to evolve and important developments have been made in the field of variceal bleeding and portal hypertension. A meeting was held at Baveno to update consensus on different terminologies in relation to portal hypertension. beta-blockers continue to be the mainstay for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding, and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is fast emerging as a strong contender. The role of vasoactive drugs in the management of variceal bleeding was assessed. Octreotide and terlipressin were shown to be as effective as sclerotherapy in achieving initial hemostasis, and octreotide was shown to be safe and efficacious in the prevention of rebleeding. EVL was superior to endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) for obliteration of esophageal varices. Sequential and simultaneous ligation and sclerotherapy were more effective than ligation alone, in reducing the recurrence rate after variceal obliteration. For gastric varices, cyanoacrylate glue continues to be the first line of treatment, and band ligation is being assessed further. Bleeding ectopic varices were dealt by appropriate endoscopic means. Endosonography has developed strongly in the assessment of variceal eradication and prediction of variceal recurrence. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS) significantly reduces rebleeding rates compared to EVL.     

Endosonographic Doppler-guided manometry of esophageal varices: experimental validation and clinical feasibility

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The risk of variceal bleeding cannot be accurately predicted using endoscopy alone. Although variceal pressure has been demonstrated to be a major determinant for the rupture of esophageal varices, direct determination by needle puncture is unsuitable for routine clinical use. Due to their operator-dependency, current noninvasive endoscopic methods for determination of variceal pressure have not gained wide acceptance. We have developed a new method of measuring variceal pressure, using endoscopic power Doppler imaging to monitor the manometry of esophageal varices. The aims of this study were to test in vitro the accuracy of Doppler-guided manometry and to assess the clinical feasibility of this method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental validation of this technique was performed using an in vitro model of artificial varices of different sizes. A linear-array endosonography (EUS) probe with power Doppler capability was used to assess flow in the varices and a balloon for manometry of esophageal varices was attached to the tip of the probe. Pressure readings were made at the time of disappearance of the Doppler signal during variceal compression by the balloon. Linear regression analysis was used to compare the results of Doppler-guided and direct intraluminal pressure measurement in the artificial varices. Variceal pressure was then measured with this technique in 28 patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices without previous bleeding, and the results were compared with portal pressure assessed according to the hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG). RESULTS: In vitro studies demonstrated a good correlation between the pressure measured with Doppler monitoring and the actual intravariceal pressure (r > or = 0.922; P < 0.001). The determination of variceal pressure with this method was technically successful in 26/28 patients (93 %). The intraoperator variance was 9.3 +/- 8.6 %. Overall, the mean variceal pressure was significantly lower than the mean HVPG (21.2 +/- 5.3 mmHg vs. 24.3 +/- 7.8 mmHg; P < 0.01). Variceal pressure and portal pressure (as assessed by the HVPG) correlated significantly (r = 0.64; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicate that EUS Doppler-guided manometry of esophageal varices is feasible and accurate. This technique may become a more reliable method for noninvasive measurement of variceal pressure and warrants further investigation.     

血清腹水清蛋白梯度与门静脉高压症食管胃底曲张静脉破裂出血的相关性研究

目的探讨血清腹水清蛋白梯度（SAAG）与门静脉高压症食管胃底静脉破裂出血的关系。方法对2009∽2011年冀中能源峰峰集团总医院门静脉高压症并发食管胃底静脉曲张破裂患者36例行选择性断流手术（观察组）,另选取同期40例食管胃底静脉曲张未出血患者作为对照组,2组患者的年龄、门静脉宽度、总胆红素、SAAG、部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）值进行比较,同时对出血手术患者SAAG和门静脉压力梯度（PPG）变化值行直线相关性分析。通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线确定血清SAAG对门静脉高压症食管胃底静脉破裂出血的预测值。结果观察组患者SAAG为（24.2±7.1）g/L,对照组患者SAAG为（15.2±6.0）g/L,2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。观察组患者SAAG与PPG变化值两者之间存在正相关（r=0.84,P〈0.01）,利用ROC曲线确定SAAG并预测门静脉高压症食管胃底静脉破裂出血的最佳诊断切点为18.3g/L,敏感度和特异度分别为95.1%和66.1%。结论血清SAAG是预测门静脉高压症食管胃底静脉破裂出血的良好指标。     

Color Doppler Ultrasound in Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients. A color Doppler evaluation of the left gastric vein (LGV) has proven utility in the prediction of esophageal varices and variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. The purpose of this review is to discuss the ultrasound evaluation, imaging findings, and clinical application of Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of the LGV. Knowledge of the color Doppler technique and imaging findings of the LGV may help clinicians improve the monitoring of portal hypertension and predict patients with a high risk of esophageal varices.     

Effect of esophageal variceal band ligation on hemorrhoids, anorectal varices, and portal hypertensive colopathy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Although it is known that obliteration of esophageal varices following endoscopic variceal band ligation results in an increase in the incidence of portal hypertensive gastropathy, the effect of variceal ligation on hemorrhoids, anorectal/colonic varices and portal hypertensive colopathy is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endoscopic variceal band ligation on hemorrhoids, anorectal/colonic varices and portal hypertensive colopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 consecutive patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension were prospectively studied. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and full-length colonoscopy were carried out before the patients underwent endoscopic variceal band ligation for esophageal varices and after obliteration of the varices following band ligation. RESULTS: Obliteration of esophageal varices by endoscopic variceal band ligation did not affect the incidence of hemorrhoids (37 % before and after), anorectal varices (40 % before and after), and portal hypertensive colopathy (57 % before and after). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that esophageal variceal band ligation does not affect the incidence of hemorrhoids, anorectal varices or portal hypertensive colopathy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.     

Portal hypertension

Portal hypertension is a frequent syndrome characterized by a chronic increase in portal venous pressure and by the formation of portal-systemic collaterals. Its main consequence is massive bleeding from ruptured esophageal and gastric varices. Bleeding is promoted by increased portal and variceal pressure, and is favored by dilatation of the varices. The evaluation of the portal hypertensive patient should include the assessment of portal vein patency by ultrasonography, endoscopic evaluation of the presence, size, and extent of esophageal varices, and hemodynamic studies with measurements of portal pressure and of portal-collateral blood flow. The preferred techniques are hepatic vein catheterization and measurement of azygos blood flow. Endoscopic measurements of variceal pressure and estimations of portal blood velocity by the Doppler technique have recently been introduced, but are still research procedures. Acute variceal hemorrhage should be treated under intensive care. Specific therapy to arrest variceal bleeding includes balloon tamponade, vasopressin, somatostatin, sclerotherapy, and emergency surgery. Treatment of portal hypertension is aimed at preventing variceal hemorrhage and bleeding-related deaths. Pharmacologic prophylaxis is based on the use of drugs that cause a sustained reduction in portal pressure; most studies have used propranolol. Surgery and endoscopic sclerotherapy can also be used to prevent rebleeding.     

Variceal bleeding and portal hypertension: new lights on old horizon

New clinical, endoscopic, and imaging modalities for diagnosing varices and predicting bleeding are being investigated. Transnasal endoscopy and ultrathin battery-powered esophagoscopes are being used to improve patient comfort and compliance. Patients who respond to portal pressure-reducing drugs not only have a reduced risk of bleeding, but also a reduced risk of developing other complications, with improved survival. Nitrates have been shown to have no definite role in primary prophylaxis against variceal bleeding. The hemodynamic response to treatment has an independent prognostic value for the risk of variceal bleeding. Newer drugs have been investigated for reducing the hepatic venous pressure gradient, but with little success. Survival after bleeding has increased due to improved patient care and technological advances. Combined radiographic and endoscopic management of gastric varices is evolving and appears to be promising. Nonvariceal bleeding from portal hypertensive gastropathy is increasingly being recognized as a potential cause of bleeding in patients with portal hypertension, and pharmacotherapy with octreotide appears to be promising for the treatment of this condition. Variceal band ligation in children has been found to be as safe and effective as in adults.     

Diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices and portal collateral venous abnormalities by endosonography in cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The role of endosonography (EUS) in the management of portal hypertension is not well defined. We aimed to study the use of a new generation video-echo endoscope in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices (GEV) and extraluminal venous abnormalities in cirrhotic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cirrhotic patients were studied by echo endoscopy to assess esophageal varices endoscopically, and gastric varices and extraluminal venous abnormalities sonographically. The results were compared with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) examination. Dyspeptic patients served as controls. RESULTS: A total of 52 cirrhotic and 166 dyspeptic patients were studied. EUS identified esophageal varices (EV) endoscopically in 28 patients (53.8 %), which showed a good correlation with EGD findings (r = 0.855, P < 0.001). The red color sign and portal hypertensive gastropathy were diagnosed in six and seven patients, respectively, by both methods. EUS detected gastric varices sonographically in 16 patients (30.8 %), compared with detection in nine patients by EGD. Extraluminal venous abnormalities were detected in 48 cirrhotic patients (92 %) and in only nine dyspeptic patients (5.4 %) (P < 0.001). The size of extraluminal adventitial venous dilatation was significantly correlated with the severity of GEV and cirrhosis (P < 0.001). Perforating veins were identified in all patients with GEV. CONCLUSION: The new generation video-echo endoscope could be used as a single investigation in assessing both the intraluminal GEV and extraluminal venous abnormalities in cirrhotic patients. It may improve the management of patients with portal hypertension.     

Réunion annuelle du Club francophone d’échoendoscopie (CFE), 22 janvier 2010 (sous l’égide de la SFED): nouveautés en échoendoscopie

Linear endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), using the duplex Doppler or the color Doppler, is a promising technology, and many studies have described the specific features of EUS in portal hypertension. EUS is a reliable way for the diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis, which has the advantage of avoiding the use of contrast agents in cirrhotic patients. EUS gives a direct vision of vessels, permitting a detailed analysis (thickness of walls of the vessels, partial or total thrombosis, flow inside the main portal vein, and perigastric collaterals). Azygos venous blood flow, as an index of blood flow through the gastroesophageal collaterals and varices, can be studied by EUS. Many interventional techniques can be developed with EUS (to obliterate gastric varices and to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma). This tool must probably be used in daily practice.     

Repeated pancreatitis-induced splenic vein thrombosis leads to intractable gastric variceal bleeding: A case report and review

Gastric varices(GV) are one of the most common complications for patients with portal hypertension. Currently, histoacryl injection is recommended as the initial treatment for bleeding of GV, and this injection has been confirmed to be highly effective for most patients in many studies. However, this treatment might be ineffective for some types of GV, such as splenic vein thrombosis-related localized portal hypertension(also called left-sided, sinistral, or regional portal hypertension). Herein, we report a case of repeated pancreatitis-induced complete splenic vein thrombosis that led to intractable gastric variceal bleeding, which was treated by splenectomy. We present detailed radiological and pathological data and blood rheology analysis(the splenic artery- after a short gastric vein or stomach vein- gastric coronary vein- portal vein). The pathophysiology can be explained by the abnormal direction of blood flow in this patient. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case for which detailed patho-logy and blood rheology data are available.     

Variceal bleeding and portal hypertension

Within the short span of half a century, the treatment of variceal bleeding has become highly differentiated, with multiple treatment options. Pharmacological therapy with beta-blockers is well established for preventing the first variceal bleeding. The utility of adding a vasodilator to beta-blockers needs to be studied further. Octreotide is widely used as an adjuvant to standard endoscopic treatment to prevent variceal rebleeding, and the utility of this approach has been validated in several randomized controlled trials. Band ligation is well established, and its popularity has increased with the introduction of multiple ligation devices. The technical simplicity and safety of band ligation has sparked interest in using this technique for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. However, randomized trials have not shown any advantage for band ligation over beta-blocker therapy, and the high variceal recurrence rate after band ligation may eliminate any theoretical advantage. A synchronous combination of band ligation and sclerotherapy has not been shown to improve the results of band ligation alone, but a metachronous approach using sclerotherapy to treat recurrent varices after band ligation has shown beneficial results. Histoacryl remains the best treatment option for gastric varices, but band ligation and loop ligation have shown promising results, and should be considered when Histoacryl is not available. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration is a new radiological modality for gastric varices, and one that sounds promising. TIPS is well established as an alternative to elective endoscopic treatment. Compared with endoscopic treatment, TIPS has been shown to improve the survival rate in one randomized trial. However, the cost and complications of TIPS have restricted its use. The use of endoscopic ultrasound for Doppler studies of blood flow in portal hypertension is currently investigational, but it may gain a role in selecting the optimal treatment approach for the individual patient.     

Use of fibrin glue (beriplast) in the management of bleeding gastric varices

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric variceal bleeding is a serious complication of portal hypertension. The optimum endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastric varices is yet to be defined. We evaluated the use of Beriplast, which is a solution of fibrinogen and thrombin, in controlling gastric variceal bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients presenting with gastric variceal bleeding were entered into an open trial of endoscopic gastric intravariceal injection treatment with Beriplast (fibrin sealant) and followed for up to 1 month after endoscopic treatment. RESULTS: There was failure to control bleeding in one patient. Four patients had rebleeding after the index bleed. All four were reinjected with Beriplast, and the bleeding was controlled in three. All patients were followed for 30 days, and the 30-day mortality following injection treatment was one. Fourteen patients were discharged from the hospital after the first episode of gastric variceal bleeding. None of the patients had injection-induced complications. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that Beriplast is a safe and simple endoscopic treatment option and is very effective in controlling gastric variceal bleeding.     

内镜套扎联合部分脾栓塞术治疗门脉高压症及其对血流动力学的影响

目的 :探讨一种新的治疗门脉高压症的手术方法。方法 :对 41例合并食管静脉曲张和脾功能亢进的门脉高压症患者实施内镜套扎 -部分脾栓塞联合治疗 ,手术前后采用彩色多普勒超声检查门奇静脉侧支循环情况 ,与对照组进行对比研究。结果 :除 1例患者出现异位栓塞死亡 ,1例出现脾脓肿经开腹手术治疗得到治愈外 ,未发生其他严重并发症。联合术后患者食管曲张静脉得到根治 ,脾功能亢进缓解。手术后患者门静脉血流速度减慢 ,血流量减少 (P <0 .0 5) ,奇静脉血流量降低 (P <0 .0 1 ) ,胃左静脉血流速度减慢 (P <0 .0 5)。术后随访 2～ 2 4个月 ,未出现复发性出血。结论 :联合术能有效地治疗门脉高压症食管静脉曲张出血和脾功能亢进 ,减少了闭塞曲张静脉所需重复套扎次数及近期再出血 ,同时术后减少了门静脉血流速度 ,血流量 ,降低了套扎术后复发出血的风险 ,该方法操作简单 ,侵袭性小 ,尤其适应于肝功能较差 ,难以耐受分流及断流手术的门脉高压症患者。     

内镜曲张静脉结扎联合脾栓塞术76例报告

目的：探讨内镜曲张静脉结扎（EVL）联合脾栓塞术（PSE）治疗门静脉高压症的疗效。方法：对76例门静脉高压症合并食管曲张静脉出血和脾功能亢进病人实施EVL联合PSE治疗。结果：76例病人食管曲张静脉均完全闭塞,平均随访21月（3－48月）,复发出血率为6．6％,脾栓塞术后脾脏明显缩小,外周血白细胞与血小板均显著升高（P＜0．01）,结论：EVL联合PSE疗法是治疗门静脉高压症食管静脉曲张出血和脾功能亢进的安全有效方法,该联合疗法比单独EVL更快闭塞曲张静脉,复发出血率低;较外科手术简单,侵袭性小。     

Bucrylate treatment of bleeding gastric varices: 12 years' experience

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: For several years now there has been an increasingly widespread use of a tissue adhesive in the treatment of bleeding gastric varices to achieve rapid, safe control of hemostasis and prevent rebleeding. In this study we report on our experience with the use of Bucrylate (Hystoacryl) for the treatment of gastric varices over a period of more than a decade. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 1988, 174 cirrhotic patients with actively bleeding gastric varices have been admitted to our department, where they received emergency treatment with injections of Bucrylate. Any associated nonbleeding esophageal varices were subjected to traditional sclerotherapy in combination with the Bucrylate treatment. The gastric varices were subdivided into four distinct groups according to the method advocated by Sarin in 1989. The patients underwent weekly sclerotherapy sessions until their varices were eradicated, and the follow-up with a mean of 36 months (range 9-90 months) consisted of endoscopy at 3, 6, and 12 months during the first year and then yearly checks to confirm obliteration of the varices. RESULTS: The hemostasis (97.1%), early rebleeding (15.5%), and hospital mortality (19.5%) rates of the patients with bleeding gastric varices, treated with the tissue adhesive, were very similar to those of patients treated for esophageal varices over the same period (98.1%, 13.0%, and 16.4%, respectively). The most frequent cause of death at 30 days was liver failure (76% of cases), followed by hemorrhagic shock (8.8%), and other less frequent causes. Sclerotherapy achieved obliteration rate for gastric varices (70-75%) similar to that for esophageal varices in those patients with portal hypertension due to intrahepatic block (alcoholic and posthepatitis cirrhosis), but a rate of only 32% in the group of patients with prehepatic block (splenoportomesenteric thrombosis), where surgery proved more effective (69%). The medium- and long-term survival rates depended on the stability of the patients' liver conditions, on rapid, effective control of variceal hemostasis, and on complete, lasting obliteration of the gastric varices. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Bucrylate in emergency sclerotherapy achieved results in bleeding gastric varices on a par with those obtained in esophageal varices in cases of alcoholic and posthepatitis cirrhosis. The group of patients with portal hypertension due to prehepatic block (splenoportal thrombosis) showed no benefit from sclerotherapy in terms of obliteration of gastric varices, but benefited from elective surgery. The choice of the obliterating treatment indicated may be facilitated by classifying gastric varices into distinct groups on the basis of anatomicotopographic criteria.     

A new approach to esophageal varices: endoscopic variceal ligation

Bleeding from esophageal varices is a devastating complication of portal hypertension and is associated with a high mortality rate. The management goals for this group of patients are to achieve hemostasis in the acute phase, reduce variceal size, reduce the potential of rebleeding and eliminate varices with a follow-up program. For the past two decades, the gold standard of treatment has been endoscopic sclerotherapy but at the expense of many complications, which often cause serious morbidity. Endoscopic variceal ligation was developed as an alternative to endoscopic sclerotherapy. The experience to date shows that the goals of therapy can be achieved with fewer complications than those associated with sclerotherapy.