Future directions of noninvasive prediction of esophageal variceal bleeding:No worry about the present computed tomography inefficiency

In this editorial,we comment on the minireview by Martino A,published in the recent issue of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2023;15(12):681-689.We focused mainly on the possibility of replacing the hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)and endoscopy with noninvasive methods for predicting esophageal variceal bleeding.The risk factors for bleeding were the size of the varices,the red sign and the Child-Pugh score.The intrinsic core factor that drove these changes was the HVPG.Therefore,the present studies investigating noninvasive methods,including computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,elastography,and laboratory tests,are working on correlating imaging or serum marker data with intravenous pressure and clinical outcomes,such as bleeding.A single parameter is usually not enough to construct an efficient model.Therefore,multiple factors were used in most of the studies to construct predictive models.Encouraging results have been obtained,in which bleeding prediction was partly reached.However,these methods are not satisfactory enough to replace invasive methods,due to the many drawbacks of different studies.There is still plenty of room for future improvement.Prediction of the precise timing of bleeding using various models,and extracting the texture of variceal walls using high-definition imaging modalities to predict the red sign are interesting directions to lay investment on.

Computed tomography for prediction of esophageal variceal bleeding

This letter to the editor relates to the study entitled“The role of computed tomography for the prediction of esophageal variceal bleeding:Current status and future perspectives”.Esophageal variceal bleeding(EVB)is one of the most common and severe complications related to portal hypertension(PH).Despite marked advances in its management during the last three decades,EVB is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality.The risk of first EVB is related to the severity of both PH and liver disease,and to the size and endoscopic appearance of esophageal varices.Indeed,hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)and esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)are currently recognized as the“gold standard”and the diagnostic reference standard for the prediction of EVB,respectively.However,HVPG is an invasive,expensive,and technically complex procedure,not widely available in clinical practice,whereas EGD is mainly limited by its invasive nature.In this scenario,computed tomography(CT)has been recently proposed as a promising modality for the non-invasive prediction of EVB.While CT serves solely as a diagnostic tool and cannot replace EGD or HVPG for delivering therapeutic and physiological information,it has the potential to enhance the prediction of EVB more effectively when combined with liver disease scores,HVPG,and EGD.However,to date,evidence concerning the role of CT in this setting is still lacking,therefore we aim to summarize and discuss the current evidence concerning the role of CT in predicting the risk of EVB.

The role of computed tomography for the prediction of esophageal variceal bleeding:Current status and future perspectives

Esophageal variceal bleeding(EVB)is one of the most common and severe complications related to portal hypertension(PH).Despite marked advances in its management during the last three decades,EVB is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality.The risk of first EVB is related to the severity of both PH and liver disease,and to the size and endoscopic appearance of esophageal varices.Indeed,hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)and esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)are currently recognized as the“gold standard”and the diagnostic reference standard for the prediction of EVB,respectively.However,HVPG is an invasive,expensive,and technically complex procedure,not widely available in clinical practice,whereas EGD is mainly limited by its invasive nature.In this scenario,computed tomography(CT)has been recently proposed as a promising modality for the non-invasive prediction of EVB.Although CT is only a diagnostic modality,thus being not capable of supplanting EGD or HVPG in providing therapeutic and physiological data,it could potentially assist liver disease scores,HVPG,and EGD in a more effective prediction of EVB.However,to date,evidence concerning the role of CT in this setting is still lacking.Our review aimed to summarize and discuss the current evidence concerning the role of CT in predicting the risk of EVB.

New index to predict esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients

AIM: To develop a safe, simple, noninvasive and affordable system to predict esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) in decompensated cirrhosis patients.

Behcet’s disease manifesting as esophageal variceal bleeding: A case report

BACKGROUND Behcet’s disease(BD)is a chronic disease characterized by oral and vulvar ulcers as well as eye and skin damage and involves multiple systems.It presents as an alternating process of repeated attacks and remissions.Esophageal venous rupture and bleeding caused by BD is rarely reported at home and abroad.This paper reports a case of bleeding from oesophageal varices caused by BD,aiming to provide an additional dimension for considering the cause of bleeding from esophageal varices in the future.CASE SUMMARY A 38-year-old female patient was admitted due to a gradual increase in shortness of breath and chest tightness after the activity,and was admitted to our hospital for treatment.After admission,relevant examinations showed that the patient had multiple blood clots.Four days after admission,she suddenly experienced massive hematemesis.Emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices.The patient had no history of viral hepatitis or drinking habits,and no history of special genetic diseases or congenital vascular diseases.There is no obvious abnormality in liver function.After reviewing the medical history,it was found that the patient had recurred oral ulcers since childhood,ulcers were visible in the perineum during menstruation,and there was an intermittent red nodular rash and uveitis.The current skin acupuncture reaction is positive,combined with the evaluation of the external hospital and our hospital,the main diagnosis is BD.She received methylprednisolone,cyclophosphamide,immunomodulation,acid suppression,gastric protection,and anticoagulation and anti-infection treatments,and was discharged from the hospital.During the 1-year follow-up period,the patient did not vomit blood again.CONCLUSION This case highlights bleeding from esophageal varices caused by BD, aiming toprovide an additional dimension concerning the cause of bleeding fromesophageal varices in the future.

Restrictive versus Liberal Blood Transfusion Strategies in Egyptian Patients with Esophageal Variceal Bleeding

Background and Study Aim: Esophageal variceal bleeding is a major medical emergency and one of the most important indications for hospital admission and for blood transfusion. However, the safest and the effective blood transfusion strategy is controversial. Here, we studied the safety and the effectiveness of the restrictive versus liberal transfusion strategies in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding. Patients and Methods: The study included 342 patients with esophageal variceal bleeding. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group I (Restrictive strategy) transfusion when the hemoglobin level is ≤7 g/dl and group II (Liberal strategy): transfusion when the hemoglobin level is ≤9 g/dl. All patients were subjected to complete blood counts, liver and kidney profiles, coagulation profile, pelvi-abdominal ultrasonography and upper GI endoscopy. Clinical outcome measures include rebleeding, infection, allergic transfusion reactions thromboembolic events, and mortality. Results: Of all patients admitted to hospital with esophageal variceal bleeding, the number of transfused RBCs units and hospital stay were more in the liberal transfusion strategy. Also, the overall rate of complications was higher in the liberal transfusion strategy (49.7% versus 38.5% in the restrictive transfusion strategy). The most common complications were rebleeding (26.9%) and infection (21.6%). As regard the death rate, 13 cases (7.6%) died in the restrictive transfusion strategy versus 25 cases (14.6%) in the liberal transfusion one. Conclusions: For esophageal variceal bleeding, restrictive transfusion strategy is better than the liberal one as regard cost-effectiveness, risk of complications and hospital stay with no harm and less mortality as compared to liberal strategy.

Comparison of emergency endoscopic variceal ligation plus octride or octride alone for acute esophageal variceal bleeding

Background Octride was the main method for the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding （EVB）. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effect and safety between esophageal variceal ligation （EVL） plus octride and octride alone in acute esophageal bleeding. Methods A total of 101 cirrhotic patients with EVB were involved in this study and received emergency EVL ± octride （EVL group） or only octride therapy randomly. The cost, efficacy and safety were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results Among 51 patients in EVL group, 5 （10%） patients failed. Among 50 patients in the octride treatment group, 13 patients （26%） failed. The difference was significant （P 〈0.05）. The average blood transfusion volume was （2.4±2.2） units in the EVL group and （6.4±3.4） units in the octride treatment group （P〈0.05）. Hospital stay was （7.4±1.3） days in the EVL group and （11.4±3.3） days in the octride treatment group （P 〈0.05）. The average hospital cost was （10 983±1147） yuan in the EVL group and （13 921 ±2107） yuan in the octride treatment group （P 〈0.05）. Conclusion Emergency endoscopic ligation plus octride is superior to octride alone in the treatment of acute EVB with lower cost and higher efficacy with enough safety.

Effect of aluminum phosphate gel on prevention of early rebleeding after ligation of esophageal variceal hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is the main cause of portal hypertension.The leading cause of death in patients with liver cirrhosis is its most common complication,esophageal variceal bleeding(EVB).Endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL)is recommended by many guidelines to treat EVB and prevent rebleeding;however,esophageal ulcers occur after treatment.Delayed healing of ulcers and unhealed ulcers lead to high rebleeding and mortality rates.Thus,the prevention of early postoperative rebleeding is of great significance in improving the quality of life and prognosis of patients.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of aluminum phosphate gel(APG)plus a proton pump inhibitor(PPI)in the prevention of early rebleeding after EVL in patients with EVB.METHODS The medical records of 792 patients who were diagnosed with EVB and in whom bleeding was successfully stopped by EVL at Shenzhen People’s Hospital,Guangdong Province,China from January 2015 to December 2020 were collected.According to the study inclusion and exclusion criteria,401 cases were included in a PPI-monotherapy group(PPI group),and 377 cases were included in a PPI and APG combination therapy(PPI+APG)group.We compared the incidence rates of early rebleeding and other complications within 6 wk after treatment between the two groups.The two-sample t-test,Wilcoxon rank-sum test,and chisquared test were adopted for statistical analyses.RESULTS No significant differences in age,sex,model for end-stage liver disease score,coagulation function,serum albumin level,or hemoglobin level were found between the two groups.The incidence of early rebleeding in the PPI+APG group(9/337;2.39%)was significantly lower than that in the PPI group(30/401;7.48%)(P=0.001).Causes of early rebleeding in the PPI group were esophageal ulcer(3.99%,16/401)and esophageal varices(3.49%,14/401),while those in the PPI+APG group were also esophageal ulcers(5/377;1.33%)and esophageal varices(4/377;1.06%);such causes were significantly less frequent in the PPI+APG group than in the PPI group(P=0.022 and 0.024,respectively).The early mortality rate within 6 wk in both groups was 0%,which was correlated with the timely rehospitalization of all patients with rebleeding and the conduct of emergency endoscopic therapy.The incidence of adverse events other than early bleeding in the PPI+APG group(28/377;7.43%)was significantly lower than that in the PPI group(63/401;15.71%)(P<0.001).The incidence of chest pain in the PPI+APG group(9/377;2.39%)was significantly lower than that in the PPI group(56/401;13.97%)(P<0.001).The incidence of constipation in the PPI+APG group(16/377;4.24%)was significantly higher than that in the PPI group(3/401;0.75%)(P=0.002)but constipation was relieved after patients drank more water or took lactulose.In the PPI and PPI+APG groups,the incidence rates of spontaneous peritonitis within 6 wk after discharge were 0.50%(2/401)and 0.53%(2/377),respectively,and those of hepatic encephalopathy were 0.50%(2/401)and 0.27%(1/377),respectively,presenting no significant difference(P>0.999).CONCLUSION PPI+APG combination therapy significantly reduces the incidence of early rebleeding and chest pain in patients with EVB after EVL.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension in a patient with primary myelofibrosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency that has a 10%hospital mortality rate.According to the etiology,this disease can be divided into acute varicose veins and nonvaricose veins.Bleeding from esophageal varices is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension.Portal hypertension is a clinical syndrome defined as a portal venous pressure that exceeds 10 mmHg.Cirrhosis is the most common cause of portal hypertension,and thrombosis of the portal system not associated with liver cirrhosis is the second most common cause of portal hypertension in the Western world.Primary myeloproliferative disorders are the main cause of portal venous thrombosis,and somatic mutations in the Janus kinase 2 gene(JAK2 V617F)can be found in approximately 90% of polycythemia vera,50% of essential thrombocyrosis and 50% of primary myelofibrosis.CASE SUMMARY We present a rare case of primary myelofibrosis with gastrointestinal bleeding as the primary manifestation that presented as portal-superior-splenic mesenteric vein thrombosis.Peripheral blood tests revealed the presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation.Bone marrow biopsy ultimately confirmed the diagnosis of myelofibrosis(MF-2 grade).CONCLUSION In patients with acute esophageal variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension and vein thrombosis without cirrhosis,the possibility of myeloproliferative neoplasms should be considered,and the JAK2 mutation test should be performed.

Risk factors for predicting early variceal rebleeding after endoscopic variceal ligation

AIM: To analyze the clinical risk factors for early variceal rebleeding after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL).METHODS: 342 cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices who received elective EVL to prevent bleeding or rebleeding at our endoscopy center between January 2005 and July 2010.were included in this study.The early rebleeding cases after EVL were confirmed by clinical signs or endoscopy.A case-control study was performed comparing the patients presenting with early rebleeding with those without this complication.RESULTS: The incidence of early rebleeding after EVL was 7.60%,and the morbidity of rebleeding was 26.9%.Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that four variables were independent risk factors for early rebleeding: moderate to excessive ascites [odds ratio (OR) 62.83,95% CI: 9.39-420.56,P < 0.001],the number of bands placed (OR 17.36,95% CI: 4.00-75.34,P < 0.001),the extent of varices (OR 15.41,95% CI: 2.84-83.52,P = 0.002) and prothrombin time (PT) > 18 s (OR 11.35,95% CI: 1.93-66.70,P = 0.007).CONCLUSION: The early rebleeding rate after EVL is mainly affected by the volume of ascites,number of rubber bands used to ligate,severity of varices and prolonged PT.Effective measures for prevention and treatment should be adopted before and after EVL.

Digestive Bleeding by Rupture of Esophageal Varicose Veins and Prognosis Value of Blood Transfusion in the Hepatogastroenterology Department of the Gabriel Toure Hospital

Digestive hemorrhage by rupture of esophageal Varices is common and has a pejorative prognosis in our context. Purpose: The main purpose of this work was to study the digestive bleeding by esophageal varices and prognosis value of blood transfusion in the Hospital of Gabriel Touré. Methodology: It was a prospective study that took place in the service of Hepato-gastroenterology of Gabriel Touré Hospital from June 2016 to May 2017 and from November 2017 to August 2018. Results: At the end of the study, 77 patients met the inclusion criteria out of 1396 patients hospitalized during the same period. Varices bleeding represented a prevalence of 5.5% among hospitalized patients during the same period. The average age of our patients was 46.58 ± 15.09 years. The male sex was more reported in our study with a prevalence of 67.5%. At admission, 63.2% had clinical anemia, 58.4% low arterial pressure and 50.6% hemoglobin rate less than 7 g/dL. Blood transfusion was indicated in 47 patients (61%). The mortality rate was 23.4% and was comparable in both groups (p = 0.0990). Early rebleeding was significantly observed in the case of transfusion (p = 0.0452). Hepatic encephalopathy was the leading cause of death of our patients with 72.2%. Conclusion: Digestive bleeding by esophageal varices is a worsen complication in cirrhosis in hospital setting. Transfusion has not significantly improved the prognosis of our patients.

Percutaneous transarterial embolization of extrahepatic arteroportal fistula

Arteroportal fistula is a rare cause of prehepatic portal hypertension. A 44-year-old male with hepatitis virus C infection was admitted for acute variceal bleeding. Endoscopy showed the presence of large esophageal varices. The ultrasound revealed a mass near the head of pancreas, which was characterized at the color- Doppler by a turbulent flow, and arterialization of portal vein flow. CT scan of abdomen showed a large aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery communicating into the superior mesenteric vein. The sinusoidal portal pressure measured as hepatic vein pressure gradient was normal, confirming the pre-hepatic origin of portal hypertension. The diagnosis of extrahepatic portal hypertension secondary to arteroportal fistula was established, and the percutaneous embolization was performed. Three months later, the endoscopy showed absence of esophageal varices and ascites. At the moment, the patient is in good clinical condition, without signs of portal hypertension.

Comprehensive treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure in a patient with hepatitis B： a case report

The clinical data of a patient with acute-on-chronic liver failure were analyzed retrospectively. The patient has suffered from hepatitis B for 30 years. His liver function deteriorated, yielding Child-Pugh grade C and reaching a model for end-stage liver disease score of 33 points within a short period; this condition was complicated with highly active variceal bleeding and coagulation system failure （PT 〉 100 s）. The patient also presented hepatocellular carcinoma. Comprehensive treatments included effective inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication and intensive care support. Piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation was performed as the final treatment. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged after surgery.