Prognostic Indicators in Acute Variceal Hemorrhage after Treatment by Schlerotherapy

The purpose of the study was to evaluate prognostic indicators in patients receiving endoscopic injection sclerosis for bleeding esophageal varices. The results below were obtained from a prospective nonrandomized study in which the patients were subdivided into the following groups (subsets): elective sclerotherapy--10, active variceal bleeding at endoscopy--47, active variceal bleeding with spontaneous resolution at the time of endoscopy--21, and gastric variceal bleeding--nine. The data were analyzed as follows: 14 variables possibly affecting 6-wk survival were evaluated by stepwise logistic regression analysis. Variables examined were subset, age, sex, Child's classification, ascites, comorbid conditions, SGOT, bilirubin, protime, albumin, volume of initial bleed, volume of rebleed, rebleed rate, and Blakemore tube use. Survival curves were also compared using the Kaplan-Meier methodology. The following results were obtained. First, the subsets above had significantly different survival curve patterns with the elective endoscopic injection sclerosis group having the best prognosis and the gastric variceal bleeders a significantly poorer survival. Second, stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed the following four significant variable prognostic indicators: comorbid factors, subset, Child's classification, and serum albumin. Although the latter two variables, Child's class (p = 0.03) and albumin (p = 0.1) had an impact on six week survival, this was no longer seen when subset (p = 0.0124) and comorbid factors (p = 0.003) were taken into account. We conclude that comorbid factors and subsets of variceal bleeding in themselves were the only two prognostic indicators showing a statistically significant association with 6-wk and long-term survival. In contrast, the more usual clinical prognostic parameters, i.e., the physical findings and biochemical test of liver function in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding, were of lesser prognostic magnitude.     

Survival after Endoscopic Sclerotherapy for Esophageal Varices in Cirrhotics

Objectives: Gastroesophageal bleeding from varices is the most life-threatening complication in liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. Since its first application, endoscopic sclerotherapy seems to be the most widely applicable procedure to stop the bleeding and to prevent recurrences. The aim of this study was to ascertain the role of some factors as predictors of survival in different groups of cirrhotic patients. Methods: At the time of their first hemorrhage from esophageal varices, 184 patients with portal hypertension from cirrhosis were treated by endoscopic sclerotherapy using a combined intraparavariceal procedure and Polidocanol 1% as sclerosing agent. Results: The follow-up range was 1–106 months (mean, 28.2 months), and 84 patients were still alive (45.7%), 97 had died (52.7%), and three had withdrawn (1.6%) at the end of the period. The major cause of death was bleeding, and 35 patients died in the first 6 wk after sclerotherapy. Using Cox proportional hazard models, Child's grading was the most important prognostic factor of both short-term (first 6 wk) and medium/long-term survival (after the first 6 wk up to 5 years). Complete eradication of varices, too, was associated with both short- and long-term survival, whereas age, sex, etiology of cirrhosis, and the presence of esophageal stenosis as a side effect of sclerotherapy were not. The type of sclerotherapy (elective vs emergent) was associated with survival, but it was not independent from Child's grade, because only patients in Child C treated electively showed a better prognosis than those treated in emergency. Conclusions: We can conclude that patients with severe liver disease (Class C) have poor prognosis, and complete eradication represents an aim because it seems to be protective against the risk of dying.     

内镜套扎术和硬化疗法治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血的比较研究

目的比较内镜套扎术(EVL)和硬化疗法(EIS)治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血的疗效和安全性.方法84例肝硬化伴食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者随机分为2组,EVL组40例,EIS组44例.EVL组患者应用Stiegmann-Goff结扎设备,每次结扎间隔2周;EIS组患者在同样时间间隔内静脉内注射乙氧硬化醇.结果EVL组患者曲张静脉消除率为75.0%(30/40),EIS组为63.6%(28/44)(P＞0.05);EVL组患者曲张静脉消除期限为11.5周±6.0周,EIS组为18.0周±14.0周(P=0.036);EVL组患者出血复发率为30%(12/40),EIS组为50%(22/44)(P=0.03);EVL组5例和EIS组13例患者发生各种并发症(P＜0.005);EVL组患者食管静脉曲张复发率为52.5%(21/40),EIS组为27.3%(12/44)(P＜0.05);EVL组2例患者发生门静脉高压性胃病;EVL组7例和EIS组9例患者死亡,EVL组5例和EIS组10例患者治疗失败.结论EVL组患者食管静脉曲张消除较EIS组快,并发症发生率低,出血复发率较低但静脉曲张复发率较高,治疗后易发生门静脉高压性胃病;两组患者的死亡率和治疗失败率无显著差异,但倾向于EVL的治疗失败率较低;当选择预防静脉出血复发的内镜治疗时,EVL应为首选.     

Modified Endoscopic Variceal Ligation

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) has been widely adopted because it is technically easy to perform. However, it is not always possible to eradicate varices by the standard ligation method. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of the intensive ligation method as an alternative for the eradication of varices. In applying this method, rubber bands are used to make ligations much closer to each other, than with the standard method, just above the esophago-gastric junction (EG-junction). We also compared the effectiveness of EVL in nine cases undergoing the standard ligation method with that in nine cases treated by the new intensive ligation method. With the standard ligation method, the average number of sessions was 2.2 per week, while the average number of rubber bands used was 9.6 per patient. Varices disappeared in three of nine cases. With the intensive ligation method, the number of sessions was two per week in all cases, while the average number of rubber bands was 19.9 per patient. Varices disappeared in all nine cases. Chest discomfort, as a complication, was experienced by three of nine cases in both groups. It is concluded that the intensive ligation method is a very effective means of achieving early, safe eradication of varices.     

内镜下套扎法在食管静脉曲张出血中的临床应用

内镜下硬化疗法为一消除曲张食管静脉，治疗其急性出血的有效方法，但因有许多严重并发症如胸痛发热菌血症，胸膜浸润，食管穿孔及食管狭窄等，故并非理想疗法。而近来兴起的内镜下食管静脉套扎（EVL）不仅可以消除曲张的食管静脉，而且可以防止硬化疗法的上述副作用。本文56例肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者进行了EVL治疗，其中36例患者随访观察18个月，4例进行了急诊EVL治疗。结果显示急诊止血率为75％，显效率69．4％，有效率为88．8％，每人年平均出血次数由结扎前的1．35次减少为0．18次，其疗效至少和硬化疗法相同。该法制作简单，容易，安全，并发症少，应该在临床上推广应用。     

Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus after Endoscopic Variceal Sclerotherapy

We describe the case of a 45-yr-old white male with portal hypertension and presumed Laennec's cirrhosis who developed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus 8 months after completion of a course of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy. The epidemiology and natural history of esophageal cancer and their relationship to our patient are analyzed. This report emphasizes that squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postsclerotherapy dysphagia. Further studies will be required to determine whether or not esophageal variceal sclerotherapy is associated coincidently or causally with the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in patients at increased risk for this condition.     

食管胃静脉曲张破裂出血的内镜治疗进展

食管胃静脉曲张破裂出血（EVB）是肝硬化门静脉高压的严重并发症。〈50％的EVB为自限性出血,近30％的肝硬化死亡归因于活动性EVB。迄今,内镜治疗方法如内镜注射硬化疗法（EIS）、内镜曲张静脉结扎（EVL）等已广泛应用于临床．极大地提高了EVB患者的生存率。本文就EVB的内镜治疗进展作一综述。     

特利加压素联合内镜静脉曲张套扎术预防急性食管静脉曲张破裂再出血的研究

背景：食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血是肝硬化的危重并发症之一,内镜静脉曲张套扎术（EVL）是食管静脉曲张破裂出血的首选内镜治疗方案。对于急性食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者,推荐于EVL术后使用血管活性药物特利加压素3—5d以预防早期再出血。目的：明确特利加压素联合EVL对急性食管静脉曲张破裂再出血的预防作用。方法：96例急诊食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者行EVL后随机分为2组,对照组口服普萘洛尔10mg／d×5d,干预组静脉推注特利加压素1mg／d×5d,其后两组患者均以维持剂量长期服用普萘洛尔。记录术后5d内和3个月内的再出血发生情况。结果：干预组早期（5d内）再出血率显著低于对照组（2．1％对12．5％,P〈0．05）,两组近期（3个月内）再出血率无明显差异（4．2％对14．6％,P〉0．05）。结论：急诊EVL联合特利加压素预防急性食管静脉曲张破裂早期再出血的效果优于EVL联合普萘洛尔,远期结果尚需进一步随访观察。     

Complete Esophageal Obstruction Secondary to Dissecting Intramural Hematoma after Endoscopic Variceal Sclerotherapy

Endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) is an accepted alternative to surgery in many patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Esophageal ulceration is a common sequelae of EVS with chest pain, stricture, and perforation occurring less frequently. We present a patient with Laennec's cirrhosis and coagulopathy who developed an obstructing esophageal hematoma caused by submucosal dissection after two EVS treatments.     

Continuous Endoscopic Variceal Ligation with a Three-shooter

Endoscopic variceal ligation with an elastic O band has been performed in the treatment of esophageal varices. Generally, after ligating the varix during the treatment the endoscope is removed and the O band is changed each time until the desired result is achieved. However, it is thought that a shorter time to change the O band would make endoscopic variceal ligation more convenient. Therefore, we designed continuous endoscopic variceal ligation with three elastic O bands. To release three bands continuously, a self recoiling spring is attached at the endoscopic side between the inner and outer cylinders. After releasing one band by pulling the wire, the inner cylinder is returned to its original position by recoiling the spring and the next O band is automatically set up. Continuous endoscopic variceal ligation was performed for one case of esophageal varices due to hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis. This technique enabled the ligation of three varices concomitantly, thus eliminating the necessity of repeated extraction and insertion of the endoscope every time the varix was ligated. The operation time was considerably shortened. The case reported did not develop any complications. Hence, it was thought that our technique of a three-shooter is easier to perform and more convenient for the patient.     

经内镜结扎和硬化剂治疗食管静脉曲张和门脉高压性胃病的疗效及预后

目的：观察经内镜结扎和硬化剂治疗食管静脉曲张的疗效及对门脉高压性胃病（PHG）的影响。方法;对92例患者随机分为套扎组（n=43)和硬化剂（n=49),分别在治疗后1－3月和1－3年内复查。观察静脉曲张及PHG的转归情况。结果：1－3月内复查套扎组完成26例,其中食管静脉曲张根除12例,曲张减轻12例,无效2例,PHG加重17例。硬化剂组完成29例,其中静脉曲张根除4例,曲张减轻22例,无效3例,PHG加重11例。1－3年内复查套扎组和硬化剂组的再曲张率及再出血率分别为61．5％、46．7％和44．4％．33．3％。结论：近期套扎治疗在根治静脉曲张方面优于硬化剂注射,但更易诱发和加重PHG。而套扎组和硬化剂组远期均可出现再曲张和再出血。两组比较无差异。     

Efficacy of Endoscopic Esophageal Variceal Ligation in an Immunocompromised Host

Abstract: We successfully treated esophageal varices by endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in a 50-year-old female patient with common variable immunodeficiency and liver cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B. Under the existing disadvantageous conditions including the immunocompromised status, hyperal-lergic reactions to several drugs, chronic pulmonary infection, and impaired hepatic function, we considered EVL to be of greater potential benefit than endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS). This case highlights the possible merits of EVL over EIS, even in the presence of various restrictions, such as the immunocompromised condition of our patient.     

An Improved Endoscopic Variceal Ligator for Esophagogastric Varix

Abstract: We recently reported a 16.0 mm in length new type of instrument with an inner cylinder of 10.3 mm for endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). This device is capable of shooting three elastic O bands consecutively in rapid succession without removing the endoscope. The aspirated volume of variceal tissue with the new instrument is larger than that obtained with the Stiegmann ligator. We performed EVL in 16 cases with esophageal varices and seven with solitary gastric varices. EVL was performed for prophylaxis in all cases. The esophageal varices disappeared in all 16 cases after ulcer formation. The procedure was performed once in 14 cases and twice in the remaining two. Three patients died of hepatic failure during the follow-up period which ranged from four to 16 months. Six and 12 month cumulative recurrence rates were 30% and 48%, respectively. All gastric varices disappeared after a single EVL session. There was one variceal recurrence during the follow-up period. Computed tomography and/ or arterioportography performed previously had shown patent gastro-renal shunt in five cases. No changes in the shunts were observed after treatment. No serious complications attributable to EVL were encountered in this series. Therefore, this method is potentially useful for the treatment of not only esophageal varices but also gastric varices.