N-Butyl-cyanoacrylate-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (NARTO) for gastric varices.

We describe the usefulness of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (nBCA)-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (NARTO) for gastric varices in 3 consecutive patients. In all patients, balloon catheters were inserted into the gastrorenal shunt via the left renal vein. After injecting sclerosant into the gastric varix under balloon occlusion, nBCA was injected to the proximal side of the shunt, to completely embolize the shunt. NARTO is a simple technique to achieve stagnation of the injected sclerosant in gastric varices and to occlude a gastrorenal shunt. This procedure is also cost-effective, and may improve procedure time compared with original or modified balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

A Case of Idiopathic Portal Hypertension Diagnosed by Noninvasive Fibrosis Evaluation Using Elastography.

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is often misdiagnosed as liver cirrhosis. Because it is difficult to distinguish between the two using diagnostic imaging, invasive tests, such as pathology and hepatic vein pressure gradient measurement, are necessary to make a diagnosis. Several studies have shown that the measurement of liver and spleen stiffnesses using elastography is useful in the diagnosis of IPH; however, there are few concrete reports on this subject. Herein, we report the case of a 58-year-old woman with IPH in which elastography was helpful for the diagnosis.

Balloon-occlusion Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration Using Gadoteridol As an Alternative Contrast Agent in a Patient with Iodine Allergy.

A 70-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis presented with gastric varices and recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a splenorenal shunt, and balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) was indicated but could not be performed due to iodine allergy. We then performed B-RTO using gadoteridol, an MRI contrast medium, instead of iodine contrast and successfully occluded the shunt vessel. After the procedure, hepatic encephalopathy did not recur, and the size of the gastric varices was reduced. This experience may aid in the management of iodine-allergic patients requiring interventional radiological treatment.

[Risk factors and construction of a nomogram model for cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis combined with esophagogastric variceal bleeding].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and construct a nomogram model for predicting the occurrence of cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis in patients combined with esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EVB). Methods: Clinical data on 416 cirrhotic PVT cases was collected from the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between January 2016 and January 2022. A total of 385 cases were included after excluding 31 cases for retrospective analysis. They were divided into an esophagogastric variceal bleeding group and a non-esophagogastric variceal bleeding group based on the clinical diagnosis. The esophagogastric variceal group was then further divided into an EVB group and a non-bleeding group. All patients underwent gastroscopy, serology, and imaging examinations. The risk factors of PVT combined with EVB were identified by univariate analysis using SPSS 26. The prediction model of cirrhotic PVT in patients combined with EVB was constructed by R 4.0.4. The prediction efficiency and clinical benefits of the model were evaluated by the C-index, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration plots, and decision curve. The measurement data were examined by a t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. The counting data were tested using the χ(2) test or the Fisher exact probability method. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the etiology, Child-Pugh grade,erythrocyte count, hematocrit, globulin, and serum lipids between the esophageal and non-esophageal varices groups (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in etiology, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophil percentage, total protein, globulin, albumin/globulin, urea, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, calcium, and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) between the EVB and non-bleeding groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that etiology (OR = 3.287, 95% CI: 1.497 ~ 7.214), hematocrit (OR = 0.897, 95% CI: 0.853 ~ 0.943), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 0.229, 95% CI: 0.071 ~ 0.737) were independent risk factors for cirrhotic PVT patients combined with EVB. The constructed normogram model predicted the probability of bleeding in patients. The nomogram model had shown good consistency and differentiation (AUC = 0.820, 95% CI: 0.707 ~ 0.843), as verified by 10-fold cross-validation (C-index = 0.799) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test (P = 0.915). The calibration plot and the decision curve suggested that the prediction model had good stability and clinical practicability. Conclusion: The risk factors for EVB occurrence include etiology, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, percentage of neutrophils, total protein, globulin, albumin/globulin, urea, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, calcium, and NLR in patients with cirrhotic liver. The constructed prediction model has good predictive value, and it can provide a reference for medical personnel to screen patients with high bleeding risk for targeted treatment.

Percutaneous Transsplenic Embolization of Gastric Varices in Left-sided Portal Hypertension.

An 81-year-old man with previously diagnosed cancer of the pancreatic body presented with melena and anemia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed gastric varices with bleeding in the entire stomach. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography identified a splenic vein occlusion resulting from invasion by the pancreatic body cancer and dilated collateral pathways from the splenic hilum to the gastric fundus. The patient was diagnosed with gastric varices associated with left-sided portal hypertension caused by obstruction of the splenic vein and underwent percutaneous transsplenic embolization with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate mixed with lipiodol. Splenic subcapsular hematoma occurred and was treated conservatively. The patient died of advanced cancer 5 months after the procedure, without experiencing rebleeding. Percutaneous transsplenic embolization was effective in treating gastric variceal bleeding caused by left-sided portal hypertension.

Portal vein-variceal anastomosis for portal vein inflow reconstruction in orthotopic liver transplantation: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a frequent complication occurring in 5% to 26% of cirrhotic patients candidates for liver transplantation (LT). In cases of extensive portal and or mesenteric vein thrombosis, complex vascular reconstruction of the portal inflow may become necessary for a successful orthotopic LT (OLT). CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old male with history of cirrhosis secondary to schistosomiasis complicated with extensive portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis and severe portal hypertension who underwent OLT with portal vein-left gastric vein anastomosis. CONCLUSION: We review the various types of PVT, the portal venous inflow reconstruction techniques.

Endoscopic Treatment of Gastric and Ectopic Varices.

Gastric variceal bleeding has a high mortality. Endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection is the standard therapy; however, rebleeding and unexpected adverse events, such as injection sites ulcers and distal glue embolisms, are pitfalls of this therapy. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided endovascular therapies offer a safer and more practical alternative for the treatment of gastric varices. EUS-guided combined therapy with coiling and cyanoacrylate injection is the most promising alternative with high obliteration rates and fewer adverse events reported. The authors reviewed the latest available data for all endoscopic therapies proposed for the management of gastric varices in patients with chronic liver disease.

Restoration of portal flow with varix in liver transplantation for patients with total portal vein thrombosis: An effective strategy in the largest center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative complications and worse prognosis still burden liver transplantations (LT) with complex portal vein thrombosis (CPVT). When an engorged left gastric vein (LGV) is present, the portal inflow is restorable with an anastomosis between the graft portal vein and the LGV of the recipient. We analyzed short- and long-term results of this procedure in 12 LT with CPVT. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2019, 55 patients with CPVT underwent LT. We applied this technique in 12 patients. In six cases, we placed a vascular graft to obtain a tension-free structure. We evaluated patency, short- and long-term results. RESULTS: No intraoperative complication was observed. The median duration of LT, blood transfusion, deceased donor age, and MELD score of the recipients were 7 h, 1250 mL, 72 years, and 19. Seven patients were affected by hepatocellular carcinoma. No major complications or PVT recurrence were observed. One patient required a liver re-transplantation for primary non-functioning syndrome. The mean hospital stay was 20 days. The actuarial patient survival was 85% with a mean FU of 4 years. The two late deaths were due to hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and sepsis for cholangitis. CONCLUSIONS: This technique in presence of both CPVT and engorged LGV is feasible and safe for patients, with good short- and long-term results.

Primary prophylaxis of gastric variceal bleeding: endoscopic obturation, radiologic intervention, or observation?

BACKGROUND: No single effective method has yet been established for the primary prophylaxis of bleeding from gastric varices (GV). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed liver cirrhosis patients with GV who had undergone either endoscopic variceal obturation (EVO) or balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) as prophylactic treatments, comparing them with those who were observed without any procedural intervention. The endpoints were GV bleeding rate and complete eradication rate. RESULTS: 72 patients in EVO, 41 patients in BRTO, and 97 patients in the clinical observation groups were enrolled. No difference was observed in baseline characteristics. As the primary endpoint, 14 (19.4%) patients in the EVO group and 3 (7.3%) in the BRTO group bled from GV after prophylactic treatment, and 34 (35.1%) patients bled in the observation group during the median follow-up of 35 months (p = 0.001). Patients who received EVO or BRTO developed less bleeding from GV than those who received observation only, with no difference between EVO and BRTO (EVO vs. observation, p = 0.038; BRTO vs. observation, p = 0.001; EVO vs. BRTO, p = 0.089). As secondary endpoints, GV disappeared completely in 33 patients (45.8%) in the EVO group and 31 patients (75.6%) in the BRTO group (p = 0.003). By multivariate analysis, complete eradication of GV was the sole determinant for predicting GV bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: EVO and BRTO are effective and safe primary prophylactic treatments for preventing bleeding from GV. In particular, BRTO is better than EVO in complete eradication of GV.

Laparoscopic Total Devascularization of the Upper Stomach and Splenectomy (Hassab's Procedure) Under Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging: Initial Experience.

The use of surgical treatment for refractory isolated gastric varices has decreased owing to the development of endoscopic and radiologic procedures, although surgeries are sometimes required as the final method. A 75-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with solitary gastric varices. Initially, intraoperative splenic artery embolization was performed using the balloon transcatheter technique under general anesthesia. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed safely owing to preoperative splenic artery embolization. Intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography was performed following the injection of 5 mL of ICG; the remnant stomach was observed using laparoscopic equipment with an ICG imaging system, and blood flow from the remnant gastric artery was confirmed. The blood did not pool or wash out immediately, which confirmed successful devascularization of the stomach. The total operative time was 269 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 500 mL. The patient's postoperative course was good, and at 21 days after the last operation, she was discharged from our hospital in remission. Real-time fluorescence angiography with ICG is a reliable and objective technique of assessing blood flow of the stomach. Accurate, extensive devascularization in the lower esophagus and upper stomach was performed using Hassab's procedure in combination with ICG imaging.

Comparison of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) alone and combined with embolisation for the management of cardiofundal varices: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with and without adjunctive embolisation in managing cardiofundal varices bleeding. METHODS: The retrospective study comprised 82 patients (54 men; mean age 53.9 years; mean Model of End-stage Liver Disease score 9.3) with cardiofundal varices bleeding who underwent TIPS creation from 2011 to 2015. Variceal rebleeding, the outflow tracts of varices, overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and post-procedure varices patency were assessed. RESULTS: Gastrorenal shunt was present in 92.7% of patients (n = 76). Embolisation was performed in 67.1% of patients (n = 55). The 1- and 2-year variceal rebleeding rates in the TIPS combined with embolisation group were significantly lower than those in the TIPS alone group (3.8% and 13.4% vs 13.0% and 28.0%, respectively; p = 0.041). No significant differences between the two groups were found in the cardiofundal varices patency, overt HE or survival (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that TIPS combined with embolisation can reduce the risk of variceal rebleeding for patients with cardiofundal varices. KEY POINTS: • TIPS combined with embolisation reduces the risk of rebleeding in treating cardiofundal varices. • TIPS combined with embolisation could not completely occlude cardiofundal varices. • TIPS combined with embolisation could not prevent the development of hepatic encephalopathy.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for treatment of bleeding gastric varices: case report and review of literature.

Gastric variceal bleeding is a major complication of portal hypertension and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. While esophageal varices are more common, gastric varices are often more challenging to treat. Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration is an interventional procedure whereby the portosystemic gastrorenal shunt is accessed via the left renal vein and the gastric varix outflow tract obliterated using direct sclerotherapy. Herein, we present a case of a 68-year-old female patient with cirrhosis who presented with bleeding gastric varices and successfully treated. This case highlights the procedural steps and the importance of detailed knowledge of the patient's portosystemic anatomy for determining suitability for balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices.

A Case of Idiopathic Severe Acute Pancreatitis following Cesarean Section Delivery.

Acute pancreatitis rarely occurs in the postpartum period. Furthermore, there are very few reports of it after cesarean section delivery. A 35-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and abdominal distension on the third day after cesarean section delivery. Under a suspicion of acute pancreatitis, she was initially managed with conservative treatment. However, she developed intra-abdominal fluid collections and gastric bleeding, which were managed with percutaneous drainage, endoscopic hemostasis, and angiographic embolization. She was discharged with good clinical recovery. Postpartum pancreatitis, especially after cesarean section, is rare; however, its management is not different from that for usual pancreatitis.

Vascular Plug Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (PARTO) for Gastric Varix Bleeding Patients in the Emergent Clinical Setting.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of vascular plug assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) for bleeding gastric varix performed in the emergent clinical setting and describe the mid-term clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2012 to January 2015, emergent PARTO was tried in total 9 patients presented with active gastric varix bleeding. After initial insufficient or failure of endoscopic approach, they underwent PARTO in the emergent clinical setting. Gelatin sponge embolization of both gastrorenal (GR) shunt and gastric varix was performed after retrograde transvenous placement of a vascular plug in GR shunt. Coil assisted RTO (CARTO) was performed in one patient who had challenging GR shunt anatomy for vascular plug placement. Additional embolic materials, such as microcoils and NBCA glue-lipiodol mixture, were required in three patients to enhance complete occlusion of GR shunt or obliteration of competitive collateral vessels. Clinical success was defined as no variceal rebleeding and disappearance of gastric varix. RESULTS: All technical and clinical success-i.e., complete GR shunt occlusion and offending gastric varix embolization with immediate bleeding control-was achieved in all 9 patients. There was no procedure-related complication. All cases showed successful clinical outcome during mean follow up of 17 months (12-32 months), evidenced by imaging studies, endoscopy and clinical data. In 4 patients, mild worsening of esophageal varices or transient ascites was noted as portal hypertensive related change. CONCLUSION: Emergent PARTO is technically feasible and safe, with acceptable mid-term clinical results, in treating active gastric varix bleeding.

Comparison of Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (BRTO) Using Ethanolamine Oleate (EO), BRTO Using Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate (STS) Foam and Vascular Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (PARTO).

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) using ethanolamine oleate (EO), BRTO using sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) foam, and vascular plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2004 to February 2015, ninety-five patients underwent retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric varices were analyzed retrospectively. BRTO with EO was performed in 49 patients, BRTO with STS foam in 25, and PARTO in 21. Among them, we obtained follow-up data in 70 patients. Recurrence of gastric varices was evaluated by follow-up endoscopy or CT. Medical records were reviewed for the clinical efficacy. Statistical analyses were performed by Kaplan-Meier method, Chi-square, Fisher's, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success was 94.7 %. As major complications, a hemoglobinuria and a death due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were occurred in two patients with BRTO using EO. Recurrence occurred more frequently in PARTO group (P < 0.05). Recurrence occurred in three patients in BRTO using EO group and four patients in PARTO group with 3.2 and 32.8 % of each expected 1-year recurrence rates. There was no recurrence in BRTO using STS group. Abdominal pain occurred more frequently in BRTO using EO than BRTO using STS foam and PARTO (P < 0.05). Procedure time of PARTO was shorter than two conventional BRTOs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BRTO using STS foam or PARTO is better than BRTO using EO for treatment of gastric varices in terms of complication or procedure time. However, PARTO showed frequent recurrence of gastric varices during the long-term follow-up rather than BRTO.

The Evaluation of Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient and Portal Hypertensive changes in Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites.

INTRODUCTION: Ascites is a common complication of chronic liver diseases and is related to the extent of portal hypertension. This study evaluated whether the serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) (the difference between the albumin level of serum and of ascitic fluid) is endowed with clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study involving 50 patients with cirrhosis of liver with ascites. The SAAG was measured in all patients and its relation with portal hypertensive changes was analyzed. RESULTS: Based on SAAG values, the patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 - SAAG value 1.1 to 1.49 gm/dL (n = 15); group 2 - SAAG value 1.5 to 1.99 gm/dL (n = 9); and group 3 - SAAG value 2.0 gm/dL (n = 26). In group 1, 14 patients had esophageal varices (93.3%) and 13 had gastropathy (86.6%). In group 2, all 9 patients had esophageal varices (100%), 7 (77.7%) had gastropathy, and 1 (11.1%) had gastric varices. In group 3, all 26 patients had esophageal varices (100%), 24 patients (92.3%) had gastropathy, and 1 patients (3.8%) had gastric varices. CONCLUSION: Serum ascites albumin gradient value is weakly related to the extent of portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis and its implication seems to be limited in clinics. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Shahed FHM, Al-Mahtab M, Rahman S. The Evaluation of Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient and Portal Hypertensive changes in Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(1):8-9.

A Case of Idiopathic Severe Acute Pancreatitis following Cesarean Section Delivery / 대한소화기학회지

Acute pancreatitis rarely occurs in the postpartum period. Furthermore, there are very few reports of it after cesarean section delivery. A 35-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and abdominal distension on the third day after cesarean section delivery. Under a suspicion of acute pancreatitis, she was initially managed with conservative treatment. However, she developed intra-abdominal fluid collections and gastric bleeding, which were managed with percutaneous drainage, endoscopic hemostasis, and angiographic embolization. She was discharged with good clinical recovery. Postpartum pancreatitis, especially after cesarean section, is rare; however, its management is not different from that for usual pancreatitis.

Vascular Plug Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (PARTO) for Gastric Varix Bleeding Patients in the Emergent Clinical Setting

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of vascular plug assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) for bleeding gastric varix performed in the emergent clinical setting and describe the mid-term clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2012 to January 2015, emergent PARTO was tried in total 9 patients presented with active gastric varix bleeding. After initial insufficient or failure of endoscopic approach, they underwent PARTO in the emergent clinical setting. Gelatin sponge embolization of both gastrorenal (GR) shunt and gastric varix was performed after retrograde transvenous placement of a vascular plug in GR shunt. Coil assisted RTO (CARTO) was performed in one patient who had challenging GR shunt anatomy for vascular plug placement. Additional embolic materials, such as microcoils and NBCA glue-lipiodol mixture, were required in three patients to enhance complete occlusion of GR shunt or obliteration of competitive collateral vessels. Clinical success was defined as no variceal rebleeding and disappearance of gastric varix. RESULTS: All technical and clinical success-i.e., complete GR shunt occlusion and offending gastric varix embolization with immediate bleeding control-was achieved in all 9 patients. There was no procedure-related complication. All cases showed successful clinical outcome during mean follow up of 17 months (12-32 months), evidenced by imaging studies, endoscopy and clinical data. In 4 patients, mild worsening of esophageal varices or transient ascites was noted as portal hypertensive related change. CONCLUSION: Emergent PARTO is technically feasible and safe, with acceptable mid-term clinical results, in treating active gastric varix bleeding.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varix with multiple drainage veins performed with temporal occlusion of the pericardiacophrenic vein with a micro-balloon.

We encountered a case with a gastric varix that drained into the gastro-renal shunt, left pericardiacophrenic vein, and several other dilated collateral veins. This patient had a circumaortic venous ring. For this case we successfully performed balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration in which sclerotic agents were infused from the balloon catheter advanced to the left pre-aortic renal vein and the tip was wedged into the end of the gastro-renal shunt. Before injection of sclerotic agents, collateral veins other than the left pericardiacophrenic vein were embolized with micro-coils. During the injection, the left pericardiacophrenic vein was occluded temporarily with a micro-balloon catheter coaxially advanced from the catheter inserted from the femoral vein to the left pericardiacophrenic vein through the left brachiocephalic vein.