A modified percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate versus endoscopic ligation in esophageal variceal bleeding management: randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Conventional percutaneous transhepatic varices embolization (PTVE) has rarely been used in recent years due to high rates of variceal recurrence and rebleeding. Herein we report a modified PTVE with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) in which the whole lower esophageal and peri or para-esophageal varices, the submucosal varices, and the advertitial plexus of the cardia and fundus were sufficiently obliterated. We compared this PTVE with endoscopic band ligation (EVL) in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding.

METHODS:

In this prospective randomized controlled trial, cirrhotic patients with acute or recent esophageal variceal bleeding were assigned randomly to PTVE (52 patients) or EVL (50 patients) groups. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) rebleeding, esophageal variceal rebleeding, and survival were followed-up. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning and portal venography were used to observe 2-OCA distribution.

RESULTS:

During the follow-up period (median 24 and 25 months in the PTVE and EVL groups, respectively) UGI rebleeding developed in eight patients in the PTVE group and 21 patients in EVL group (P = 0.004). Recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices occurred in three patients in the PTVE group and twelve in the EVL group (P = 0.012, relative risk 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.74). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that the treatment was the only factor predictive of rebleeding. A Kaplan-Meier curve showed there was no significant difference between survival in the two groups (P = 0.054).

CONCLUSIONS:

With the whole lower esophageal and peri or para-esophageal varices, the submucosal varices, and the adventitial plexus of the cardia and fundus sufficiently obliterated by 2-OCA, this modified PTVE was more effective than EVL in the management of esophageal varices recurrence and rebleeding. Survival in these two groups was not significantly different, however.

• Authors: Chun Qing Zhang, Fu Li Liu, Bo Liang, Zi Qin Sun, Hong Wei Xu, Lin Xu, Kai Feng, Zun Chang Liu
• Journal: Digestive diseases and sciences (Dig Dis Sci) Vol. 53 Issue 8 Pg. 2258-67 (Aug 2008) ISSN: 0163-2116 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18038208 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cyanoacrylates
• Tissue Adhesives
• octyl 2-cyanoacrylate

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Cyanoacrylates (therapeutic use)
• Embolization, Therapeutic (adverse effects)
• Endoscopy, Digestive System (adverse effects)
• Esophageal and Gastric Varices (etiology, mortality, pathology, surgery, therapy)
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage (etiology, mortality, pathology, surgery, therapy)
• Hemostatic Techniques (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Ligation
• Liver Cirrhosis (complications, mortality, pathology, surgery, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Portography
• Proportional Hazards Models
• Prospective Studies
• Recurrence
• Risk Assessment
• Time Factors
• Tissue Adhesives (therapeutic use)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome