Postoperative bleeding in patients on antithrombotic therapy after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection

AIM To investigated the relationship between postoperative bleeding following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) and individual antithrombotic agents.METHODS A total of 2488 gastric neoplasms in 2148 consecutive patients treated between May 2001 and June 2016 were studied. The antithrombotic agents were categorized into antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, and other antithrombotic agents, and we included combination therapies [e.g., dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)]. The risk factors associated with post-ESD bleeding, namely, antithrombotic agents overall, individual antithrombotic agents, withdrawal or continuation of antithrombotic agents, and bleeding onset period(during the first six days or thereafter), were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTS The en bloc resection and complete curative resection rates were 99.2% and 91.9%, respectively. Postoperative bleeding occurred in 5.1% cases. Bleeding occurred in 10.3% of the patients administered antithrombotic agents. Being male(P = 0.007), specimen size(P < 0.001), and antithrombotic agent used(P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding. Heparin bridging therapy(HBT)(P = 0.002) and DAPT/multidrug combinations(P < 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with postoperative bleeding. The bleeding rate of the antithrombotic agent continuation group was significantly higher than that of the withdrawal group(P < 0.01). Bleeding within postoperative day(POD) 6 was significantly higher in warfarin(P = 0.015), and bleeding after POD 7 was significantly higher in DAPT/multidrug combinations(P = 0.007). No thromboembolic events were reported.CONCLUSION We must closely monitor patients administered HBT and DAPT/multidrug combinations after gastric ESD, particularly those administered multidrug combinations after discharge.

Successful initial ablation therapy contributes to survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the outcome predictors of percu- taneous ablation therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially to identify whether the initial treatment response contributes to the survival of the patients. METHODS: The study cohort included 153 patients with single (102) and two or three (51) HCC nodules 5 cm or less in maximum diameter. As an initial treatment, 110 patients received radiofrequency ablation and 43 patients received percutaneous ethanol injection. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 75% and 59%, respectively. The log-rank test revealed statistically significant differences in the overall survivals according to Child- Pugh class (P = 0.0275), tumor size (P = 0.0130), serum albumin level (P = 0.0060), serum protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist Ⅱ level (P = 0.0486), and initial treatment response (P = 0.0130). The independent predictors of survival were serum albumin level (risk ratio, 3.216; 95% CI, 1.407-7.353; P = 0.0056) and initial treatment response (risk ratio, 2.474; 95% CI, 1.076-5.692; P = 0.0330) based on the Cox proportional hazards regression models. The patients had a serum albumin level 3.5 g/dL and the 3- and 5-year survival rates of 86% and 82%. CONCLUSION: In HCC patients treated with percutaneous ablation therapy, serum albumin level and initial treatment response are the independent outcome predictors.