Comparison of Percutaneous Transhepatic Variceal Embolization (PTVE) Followed by Partial Splenic Embolization versus PTVE Alone for the Treatment of Acute Esophagogastric Variceal Massive Hemorrhage

PurposeTo compare the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization (PTVE) followed by partial splenic embolization (PSE) with that of PTVE alone for the treatment of acute massive hemorrhage of esophagogastric varices in patients with cirrhosis unable to undergo alternative procedures.Materials and MethodsSixty-five patients with acute variceal massive hemorrhage were retrospectively studied, including 31 who underwent PTVE/PSE and 34 who underwent PTVE and refused PSE. Recurrent bleeding rate, survival rate, postoperative complications, number of days of hospitalization after PTVE, and outcome were evaluated. Peripheral blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels before and at 1 week and 6, 12, and 24 months after intervention were analyzed.ResultsCumulative recurrent bleeding rates at 6, 12, and 24 months after intervention in the PTVE/PSE group were 3.2%, 6.7%, and 13.3%, compared with 20.6%, 36.7%, and 53.6%, respectively, in the PTVE group; the difference at each time point was statistically significant (all P < .01). There were more cases of ascites and portal hypertensive gastropathy after PTVE than after PTVE/PSE (P < .05). Survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months in the PTVE/PSE group were 100%, 96.8%, and 96.8%, compared with 94.1%, 88.2%, and 82.4%, respectively, in the PTVE group. There were significant differences in peripheral blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels between the PTVE/PSE and PTVE groups at all observed time points (all P < .01).ConclusionsPTVE/PSE not only has long-term efficacy in alleviating hypersplenism, but decreases recurrent bleeding and maintains hepatic reserve in patients with cirrhosis and esophagogastric variceal massive hemorrhage unable to undergo other procedures.     

Efficacy and safety of everolimus in patients younger than 12 months with congenital subependymal giant cell astrocytoma

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder that activates mammalian target of rapamycin and produces tumor growth in several organs. We present five patients younger than 12?months who were diagnosed with TSC and treated with everolimus (EVL), after which congenital subependymal giant astrocytoma (cSEGA) promptly regressed in all patients. All patients achieved at least 50% reduction in the volume of cSEGA within 6?months. The most rapid reduction of cSEGA volume (79.1%) was found during the initial 3?months of EVL treatment. Patients underwent EVL treatment for an average of 27?months (range: 4–55?months). Mean EVL maintenance dose was 1.35?mg per day. EVL blood trough concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 11.7?ng/ml. The cSEGA became larger after discontinuing EVL in two patients. In all four patients who had multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas (CRMs), the CRMs showed accelerated regression after receiving EVL. Adverse events were noted in four patients: infection, stomatitis, and increased triglycerides. Four patients had febrile status epilepticus, which occurred during acute encephalopathy in a patient, and after discontinuing EVL in another. Three patients were still receiving EVL at their latest evaluations. Maintenance therapy with EVL is an effective therapeutic option for patients with cSEGA, and moreover may have additional favorable effects on other complications, even in early infancy; however, adverse effects should be carefully monitored.     

内镜套扎术结合药物治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血疗效观察

目的探讨食管静脉曲张套扎术（EVL）结合药物救治食管静脉曲张破裂出血的临床效果。方法2002年7月-2008年明我院采用EVL结合药物治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血33例。结果本组33例中,1例失败另行其他治疗方法。32例在24h内止血成功。结论食管静脉曲张破裂出血属危重症,必须采取积极有效的综合疗法进行救治,并证实本法治疗效果佳良。     

A pathophysiologic, gastroenterologic, and radiologic approach to the management of gastric varices

Gastric varices (GV) occur in 20% of patients with portal hypertension either in isolation or in combination with esophageal varices (EV). There is no consensus for optimum treatment of GV and because they comprise an inhomogeneous entity, accurate classification is vital to determine the appropriate management. Gastroesophageal varices (GOV) are classified as GOV1 (EV extending down to cardia or lesser curve) or GOV2 (esophageal and fundal varices). Isolated gastric varices (IGV) may be located in the fundus (IGV1) or elsewhere in the stomach (IGV2). GV possibly bleed less frequently than EV, but GV bleeding is typically difficult to control, associated with a high risk for rebleeding, and high mortality. Fundal varices, large GV (>5 mm), presence of a red spot, and Child's C liver status are associated with a high risk for bleeding. GOV1 have a much lower risk for bleeding. A portosystemic pressure gradient of > or =12 mm Hg is not necessary for GV bleeding, probably related to the high frequency of spontaneous gastrorenal shunts in these patients. GOV1 should be treated as for EV. First-line treatment of bleeding fundal varices is endoscopic variceal obturation. TIPS is currently second-line acute treatment and is used for prevention of rebleeding. The role of some newer interventional radiologic techniques requires further appraisal. This review describes the pathophysiology, diagnosis, natural history, endoscopic, and interventional radiologic treatment options for GV.     

探讨影响食管静脉曲张破裂出血内镜疗法预后的相关因素

目的探讨内镜下食管曲张静脉套扎（Endoscopic Variceal Ligation,EVL）和硬化剂注射（Endoscopic Injection Sclerothera-py,EIS）治疗后影响食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者预后的相关因素。方法选取95例肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者,所有患者均在接受内镜下套扎或硬化剂注射治疗后随访2年,根据2年内疾病转归将病例分为2组,死亡组24例,存活组71例。收集所有患者一般资料及临床影像学、生化指标,采用单因素分析法评估性别、年龄、生化指标、影像学检查、实验室检查等因素在2组间的差异性,并进一步采用多因素Logistic回归分析法评估内镜治疗后与患者预后相关的危险因素。结果单因素分析表明,2组患者在年龄、肝功能分级、出血程度、腹水程度、术后感染、凝血酶原时间、白蛋白水平、治疗方法、早期再出血情况等方面存在显著性差异（P〈0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析表明,术后感染（OR=2.938,P=0.045）、白蛋白（OR=0.887,P=0.019）、早期再出血（OR=4.268,P=0.015）在2组间差异显著。结论术后感染、白蛋白、早期再出血是影响内镜治疗后与患者预后的独立相关因素,其中术后感染和早期再出血为危险因素,白蛋白为保护因素。     

食管静脉曲张套扎术后早期再出血的危险因素研究

目的评价肝硬化食管静脉曲张内镜下套扎治疗术（EVL）后早期再出血的危险因素。方法研究131例接受EVL术患者的性别、年龄、肝硬化原因、是否患肝癌、有无分流、断流及脾切除术史、入院前后临床表现、实验室检查结果、影像学结果、胃镜结果等因素对术后早期再出血发生和患者预后的影响,寻找独立危险因素。结果EVL术后早期再出血发生率为9．93％。肝功能Child—Pugh分级、门静脉血栓、凝血酶原时间、血红蛋白为EVL术后早期再出血的独立危险因素。结论EVL术前应采取相应措施积极治疗以减少早期再出血发生。     

内镜套扎术与套扎联合药物预防食管静脉曲张破裂再出血疗效比较的Meta分析

目的:分析比较内镜套扎术(EVL)与EVL联合非选择性β受体阻滞剂在食管静脉曲张破裂出血二级预防中的疗效。方法:运用Meta分析检索与EVL和EVL联合药物预防食管静脉曲张破裂再出血相关的临床随机对照试验(RCT)。选用Jadad评分≥3分的文献,以RevMan 5.0软件进行相关指标OR值及其95%可信区间(CI)分析,绘制漏斗图判断有无发表偏倚。结果:符合标准的RCT文献共3篇,病例总数270例,随访时间为16-21个月。EVL与EVL联合药物应用后再发出血率(OR=0.29,95%CI=0.16-0.54;P<0.01)、明确是食管静脉曲张破裂再出血率(OR=0.36,95%CI=0.18-0.97;P<0.01)、治疗相关的不良事件(OR=3.69,95%CI=1.54-8.82;P<0.01),上述比较差异有统计学意义;总死亡率(OR=0.56,95%CI=0.30-1.06;P>0.05)、出血死亡率(OR=0.45,95%CI=0.16-1.30;P>0.05)则无统计学意义,但相对于EVL组,EVL联合药物组的死亡率要低。漏斗图显示对称性较低,提示可能存在一定的发表偏倚。结论:EVL联合药物治疗可比EVL明显的降低再出血率,虽然两组的总死亡率无明显差异,但相对于EVL组,EVL联合药物组的死亡率要低,故EVL联合药物可作为预防食管静脉曲张破裂再出血的首选治疗方案。