Safety and efficacy of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate in the management of patients with gastric and duodenal varices who are not candidates for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Gastric variceal bleeding is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with portal hypertension and cirrhosis. Options are limited for patients who are not candidates for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS). Cyanoacrylate injections have been reported to be efficacious in previous case series. The aim of this retrospective study was to report our single-center experience with the safety and efficacy of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate in patients who were not TIPS candidates. Electronic medical records were reviewed for 16 patients who underwent a total of 18 esophagogastroduodenoscopies for acute gastric or duodenal variceal bleeding and secondary prophylaxis of gastric varices; 14 patients had cirrhosis with an average Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of 16, and 2 patients had noncirrhotic portal hypertension. Primary endpoints of the study included early and delayed rebleeding rate, complications, and death or liver transplantation. The rebleeding rate (early or delayed) was 7%, and no complications were found. One death was reported (unrelated to the procedure). In conclusion, 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate is a safe and effective alternative for non-TIPS candidates who present with acute gastric variceal bleeding given its low rebleeding and complication rate.

An atypical presentation of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.

A 69-year-old white man presented with several episodes of hematochezia. Colonoscopy demonstrated multiple colonic blebs localized mainly in the distal transverse colon. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and computed tomography of the abdomen did not reveal any abnormalities. The patient required several blood transfusions and eventually required a subtotal colectomy with ileosigmoid anastomosis for definitive bleeding control. Pathology was remarkable for multifocal vascular ectasia, consistent with the diagnosis of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.

Everolimus in liver transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we discuss the mechanism of action, side-effects, and role of everolimus (EVR) in liver transplant, specifically the most recent de-novo (within 1 month of transplant) and conversion (months to years after transplant) trials in the literature. RECENT FINDINGS: Everolimus was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in liver transplantation. Its primary benefit over other immunosuppressive agents is the absence of renal toxicity. De-novo liver recipients receiving EVR with reduced-dose tacrolimus had similar rates of death, graft loss, and rejection compared with tacrolimus monotherapy, but significantly better renal function. The most common side effects are manageable and include stomatitis, hyperlipidemia, and cytopenias. Compared with the other mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, sirolimus, EVR is not associated with impaired wound healing or hepatic artery thrombosis. In addition, EVR may provide some benefit as an antineoplastic agent that may be particularly applicable to liver recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: Everolimus is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor for liver transplantation. It offers noninferior immunosuppression (compared with standard therapy) with the absence of renal toxicity. Its use will likely increase over time as clinicians become more familiar with this drug.