Urgent ERCP performed with single-use duodenoscope (SUD) in patients with moderate-to-severe cholangitis: Single-center prospective study.

Background and study aims To assess the outcomes of urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed with a single-use duodenoscope (SUD) in patients with moderate-to-severe cholangitis. Patients and methods Between 2021 and 2022 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe cholangitis were prospectively enrolled to undergo urgent ERCP with SUD. Technical success was defined as the completion of the planned procedure with SUD. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors related to incidence of adverse events (AEs) and mortality. Results Thirty-five consecutive patients (15 female, age 81.4±6.7 years) were enrolled. Twelve (34.3%) had severe cholangitis; 26 (74.3%) had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥3. Twenty-eight patients (80.0%) had a naïve papilla. Biliary sphincterotomy and complete stone clearance were performed in 29 (82.9%) and 30 patients (85.7%), respectively; in three cases (8.6%), concomitant endoscopic ultrasound-gallbladder drainage was performed. Technical and clinical success rates were 100%. Thirty-day and 3-month mortality were 2.9% and 14.3%, respectively. One patient had mild post-ERCP pancreatitis and two had delayed bleeding. No patient or procedural variables were related to AEs. ASA score 4 and leucopenia were related to 3-month mortality; on multivariate analysis, leukopenia was the only variable independently related to 3-month mortality (odds ratio 12.8; 95% confidence interval 1.03-157.2; P =0.03). Conclusions The results of this "proof of concept" study suggest that SUD use could be considered safe and effective for urgent ERCP for acute cholangitis. This approach abolishes duodenoscope contamination from infected patients without impairing clinical outcomes.

Ultrasound imaging and central venous pressure in spontaneously breathing patients: a comparison of ultrasound-based measures of internal jugular vein and inferior vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound evaluation of inferior vena cava and internal jugular vein dia-meters predicts the intravascular volume status in critical patients. The aim of the present study was to determine which ultrasound-derived index is most strongly associated with central venous pressure (CVP). Furthermore, we determined the utility of selected variables in predicting low volume status (CVP < 8 mmHg). METHODS: All patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram, vascular ultrasound examination, invasive central venous pressure, and intra-abdominal pressure determination. The following indexes were calculated: inferior vena cava diameter, internal jugular vein maximum diameter, collapsibility index, and internal jugular vein ratio. RESULTS: 41 spontaneously breathing patients were recruited. Central venous pressure significantly correlated with inferior vena cava diameter ( r = 0.35, P = 0.02), internal jugular vein ratio ( r = 0.35, P = 0.03), and internal jugular vein maximum diameter ( r = 0.58, P < 0.001). The inferior vena cava collapsibility index did not show any association. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves to discriminate a low central venous pressure (< 8 mmHg) were the following: internal jugular vein diameter 0.80 (95% CI: 0.63-0.90); inferior vena cava diameter 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49-0.80); and internal jugular vein ratio 0.68 (95% CI: 0.51-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: The internal jugular vein diameter, the internal jugular vein ratio, and the inferior vena cava diameter showed a significant correlation with central venous pressure. In particular, the internal jugular vein diameter showed good accuracy in predicting a low central venous pressure.

EUS-guided gallbladder drainage in high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis-procedure outcomes and evaluation of mortality predictors.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences suggest that gallbladder drainage is the treatment of choice in elderly or high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis (AC). Despite better outcomes compared to other approaches, endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is burdened by high mortality. The aim of the study was to evaluate predictive factors for mortality in high-risk surgical patients who underwent EUS-GBD for AC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed. Electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stents were used; all recorded variables were evaluated as potential predictive factors for mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent EUS for suspected AC and 25 (44% male, age 78) were finally included. Technical, clinical success rate and adverse events rate were 92%, 88%, and 16%, respectively. 30-day and 1-year mortality were 12% and 32%. On univariate analysis, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (OR 20.8[4-68.2]), acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR 21.4[2.6-52.1]) and clinical success (OR 8.9[1.2-11.6]) were related to 30-day mortality. On multivariate analysis, CCI and AKI were independently related to long-term mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves showed an increased long-term mortality in patients with CCI > 6 (hazard ratio 7.6[1.7-34.6]) and AKI (hazard ratio 11.3[1.4-91.5]). CONCLUSIONS: Severe comorbidities and AKI were independent predictive factors confirming of long-term mortality after EUS-GBD. Outcomes of EUS-GBD appear more influenced by patients' conditions rather than by procedure success.

Treatment of acute cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients.

INTRODUCTION: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is the most common biliary stone disease complication. While there is consensus regarding cholecystectomy for AC, gallbladder drainage is indicated in elderly or high-risk surgical patients. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We systematically reviewed available evidence in the field of EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) for AC in high-risk surgical patients. The studies were classified according to their level of evidence (LE) according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine classification. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Literature search retrieved 175 manuscripts; most of them were expert opinions (LE V, N.=53) or case-series (LE IV, N.=29). There was no meta-analysis of RCT (LE Ia), while two randomized controlled trials (LE Ib) demonstrated that EUS-GBD was superior to percutaneous transhepatic-GBD (PT-GBD) regarding long-term outcomes (adverse events, recurrent cholecystitis, and reintervention). Several meta-analyses of cohort studies (LE IIa, N.=11) were designed to compare the three available drainage strategies (endoscopic, echoendoscopic and percutaneous) and to assess the pooled risk of adverse events. Comparison between surgery and EUS-GBD was done in a single retrospective study with a propensity score analysis (LE III). The outcomes of conversion from PT-GBD to EUS-GBD were covered by few retrospective studies (LE III). Several manuscripts (N.=69) were published on EUS-GBD as a rescue strategy in case of malignant biliary obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of evidence of EUS-GBD in the literature have evolved from initial descriptive studies to recent randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis of cohort studies. While several articles addressed the comparison among different techniques for GBD, in our opinion some topics and questions have not been adequately investigated. are still debated.

EUS-guided transrectal drainage of pelvic fluid collections using electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stents: a case series.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pelvic fluid collections (PFCs) are frequent adverse events of abdominal surgery or inflammatory conditions. A percutaneous approach to deep PFCs could be challenging and result in a longer, painful recovery. The transvaginal approach has been considered easy but is limited by the difficulty of leaving a stent in place. The transrectal approach has been described, but issues related to fecal contamination were hypothesized. Data on EUS-guided transrectal drainage (EUS-TRD) with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) are few and suggest unsatisfactory outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EUS-TRD with LAMSs in patients with PFCs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database on therapeutic EUS was conducted. All EUS-TRD procedures were included. RESULTS: Five patients (2 male, age 44-89 years) were included. Four patients had postoperative PFCs, and 1 presented with a pelvic abscess complicating acute diverticulitis. Two of 5 had fecal diversion; the remaining 3 had unaltered large-bowel anatomy. One case had a concomitant abdominal collection, treated with percutaneous drainage in the same session. An electrocautery-enhanced LAMS delivery system (15 × 10 mm) was used in all cases. EUS-TRD was performed with the direct-puncture technique and lasted less than 10 minutes in 4 cases; in the remaining case, needle puncture and LAMS placement over a guidewire was required, and the procedure length was 14 minutes. The clinical success rate was 100%. LAMSs were removed after a median of 14 (range, 12-24) days. One patient reported partial proximal LAMS migration after 24 days (mild adverse event). No PFC recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: EUS-TRD with LAMSs is a safe and effective technique for treatment of PFCs. The use of 15- × 10-mm LAMSs allows rapid PFC resolution. EUS-TRD could be performed not only in patients with fecal diversion but also in cases of unaltered anatomy.