Outcomes after placement of a SX-ELLA oesophageal stent for refractory variceal bleeding-A national multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines favour the use of bleeding stents over balloon tamponade (BT) for refractory variceal bleeding (VB) from oesophageal varices. However, data on the efficacy and safety of self-expandable metal SX-ELLA Danis stents (SEMS) are limited. METHODS: Cirrhotic patients receiving SEMS for VB at four tertiary care centres were included in this retrospective multicentre study. Rates of failure-to-control bleeding (within 5 days) and bleeding-related mortality (6 weeks) were assessed. RESULTS: SEMS controlled VB in 79.4% (27/34) of patients. In the rest of patients, other rescue treatments including endoscopic band ligation (EBL, n = 3), SEMS renewed (n = 2) or Linton (n = 2) were applied; however, VB was only controlled in one patient. Early rebleeding within six weeks occurred in 17.6% (6/34) patients. Median SEMS dwell time was three (IQR:6) days. Overall n = 13/34 (38.2%) patients died with SEMS in situ. After SEMS removal, rebleeding and bleeding-related death occurred in n = 7 (35%) and n = 5 (14.7%) patients respectively. Only 32.4% (10/34) patients did not experience any rebleeding within six weeks after SEMS removal. Bleeding-related mortality was 47.1% (n = 16/34) and the median survival after SEMS placement was 2.1 months. Notably, no patient received an early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The most common adverse events were stent dislocations (n = 13; 38.2%), while ulcers/necrosis of the oesophageal mucosa was seen in only four (11.8%) patients. CONCLUSION: SEMS controlled refractory VB in most patients. However, bleeding-related mortality remained high. While SEMS dislocations were frequent, ulcers/necrosis of the oesophagus was rare. Further studies should investigate whether the wider use of early TIPS reduces bleeding-related mortality after SEMS placement.

Use of Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants in Nonagenarians: A Call for More Data.

The prevalence and embolic risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) increase with age. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) reduce the risk of stroke or embolism. The aim of this review was to summarize the paucity of information regarding the safety and efficacy of DOACs in AF patients aged 90 years or older. The maximum age of included patients is not listed in any of the available DOAC investigating trials and registries, thus it is unclear if nonagenarians were included. Additionally, we could not find any subgroup analysis addressing this issue. There is an urgent need to collect more information on the safety and efficacy of oral anticoagulants in nonagenarians, especially regarding the role of DOACs, which are increasingly prescribed to this group of patients despite the lack of data. The best solution to this problem would be a prospective, randomized trial in this group of patients, however that would require a large investment of time, effort, and funds. In the meantime, we suggest subgroup analyses addressing the effects and safety of VKAs versus DOACs in nonagenarians, in case they have been included in previously completed or ongoing trials or registries. This could be feasible and would be desirable in view of the large amount of data already accumulated. Irrespective of age, anemia in patients receiving DOACs should be carefully investigated to rule out occult blood loss. With their known interaction profile and the possibility of monitoring these drugs, VKAs should be favored over DOACs in nonagenarians until more data are available regarding the safety of DOACs.

Bleeding Dieulafoy lesions of the small bowel: a systematic study on the epidemiology and efficacy of enteroscopic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Dieulafoy lesions consist of aberrant submucosal arteries, which can cause severe GI bleeding. The predominant location of Dieulafoy lesions is the upper GI tract. OBJECTIVE: To our best knowledge, this is the first systematic study on the frequency of bleeding from Dieulafoy lesions in the small bowel and the efficacy of enteroscopic therapy regarding primary hemostasis and long-term follow-up. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, observational study. SETTING: Nine Austrian centers doing double-balloon enteroscopy or single-balloon enteroscopy. PATIENTS: This study involved 284 consecutive patients who were referred for double-balloon enteroscopy or single-balloon enteroscopy because of suspicion of mid-GI bleeding. INTERVENTION: A total of 317 double-balloon enteroscopy and 78 single-balloon enteroscopy procedures were performed in 284 patients with suspected mid-GI bleeding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Demographic, clinical, procedural, and outcome data were collected. RESULTS: A Dieulafoy lesion in the small bowel was identified as the source of mid-GI bleeding in 3.5% of patients, with a mean of 1.5 enteroscopy sessions required per diagnosis. In 9 cases the Dieulafoy lesion was found by enteroscopy from an oral approach, and in 1 patient the lesion was found by an anal approach. In all patients primary endoscopic hemostasis was successful. Eight of 10 patients were free from rebleeding episodes (median follow-up 14.5 months, interquartile range 10.0-17.5 months). In 2 of 10 patients, rebleeding occurred, and a surgical intervention was necessary. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study. CONCLUSION: Bleeding from Dieulafoy lesions of the small bowel seems to occur more frequently than previously estimated. Most of these lesions are located in the proximal jejunum and can be managed successfully by enteroscopy. After successful endoscopic hemostasis, rebleeding episodes occur in only 20% of patients.