scholarly journals Necessity of vasoconstrictors for esophageal variceal bleeding after endoscopic ligation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jen-Hao Yeh ◽  
Gin Lo ◽  
Ru-Yi Huang ◽  
Chih-Wen Lin ◽  
Wen-Lun Wang

Abstract BackgroundSeveral recent trials have suggested that the need for vasoconstrictors for preventing esophageal variceal bleeding may be considerably reduced after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). However, comprehensive systematic reviews on this topic are hardly available. MethodsA meticulous literature review and meta-analysis were conducted using the databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Primary outcomes were initial hemostasis, rebleeding, mortality, and treatment failure within 5 days, and secondary outcomes were 6-week mortality and adverse events. ResultsFive randomized trials with 423 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that the following outcomes were similar in groups that received only EVL and a standard combination regimen: initial hemostasis (97.6% vs. 98.0%, risk ratio (RR) = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97–1.02), 5-day rebleeding (15.9% vs. 6.6%, RR = 2.25, 95% CI = 0.87–5.77), treatment failure (9.6% vs. 6.7%, RR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.54––3.75), 5-day mortality rates (0 vs. 0.7%, RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.09–6.87), and 6-week mortality rates (2.9% vs. 3.0%, RR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.25–3.13). By contrast, sensitivity analysis suggested obvious clinical heterogeneity in 5-day rebleeding although an outlier study was identified. ConclusionIn patients with acute esophageal variceal bleeding after EVL, 5-day and 6-week mortality rates were similar regardless of vasoconstrictor use. However, considering the controversial 5-day rebleeding rate, short course of vasoconstrictor use based on current evidence may be reasonable.

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042110317
Author(s):  
Jen-Hao Yeh ◽  
Gin-Ho Lo ◽  
Ru-Yi Huang ◽  
Chih-Wen Lin ◽  
Wen-Lun Wang ◽  
...  

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) with vasoconstrictors has been recommended for acute esophageal variceal bleeding. However, the optimal duration of vasoconstrictors after EVL is controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to explore the efficacy of short-course vasoconstrictors (≤3 days) versus standard combination (3–5 days). A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases with subsequent meta-analysis. The primary outcomes were 5-day rebleeding, mortality, and treatment failure rates. A risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval is used for outcome comparison. Nine randomized studies with 838 patients were included. The initial hemostasis (96.8% vs 97.4%, p = 0.919), 5-day rebleeding (11.2% vs 8.3%, RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.62–1.76), mortality (0 vs 1.3%, RR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.10–2.39), and treatment failure (7.4% vs 5.9%, RR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.48–2.49) were similar in both groups. Subgroup analysis suggested EVL alone had no significant difference of 5-day re-bleeding (15.9% vs 7.1%, RR = 2.25, 95% CI = 0.87–5.77), mortality (0 vs 0.7%, RR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.08–6.03), treatment failure (9.6% vs 6.7%, RR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.54–3.75) compared to standard combination. Clinical heterogeneity was found for the rebleeding rate for the subgroup during sensitivity analysis. EVL with short-course vasoconstrictors is highly efficacious for esophageal variceal bleeding. Further studies are required to determine the genuine need of subsequent vasoconstrictor after successful EVL.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Dong Shao ◽  
Xing-Shun Qi ◽  
Xiao-Zhong Guo

Background. Preliminary studies suggest that covered self-expandable metal stents may be helpful in controlling esophageal variceal bleeding.Aims. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of esophageal stent in refractory variceal bleeding in a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library covering the period from January 1970 to December 2015. Data were selected and abstracted from eligible studies and were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed usingI2test.Results. Five studies involving 80 patients were included in the analysis. The age of patients ranged from 18 to 91 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 46.8 d (range, 30–60 d). The success rate of stent deployment was 96.7% (95% CI: 91.6%–99.5%) and complete response to esophageal stenting was in 93.9% (95% CI: 82.2%–99.6%). The incidence of rebleeding was 13.2% (95% CI: 1.8%–32.8%) and the overall mortality was 34.5% (95% CI: 24.8%–44.8%). Most of patients (87.4%) died from hepatic or multiple organ failure, and only 12.6% of patients died from uncontrolled bleeding. There was no stent-related complication reported and the incidence of stent migration was 21.6% (95% CI: 4.7%–46.1%).Conclusion. Esophageal stent may be considered in patients with variceal bleeding refractory to conventional therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Su ◽  
Huilin Zhang ◽  
Maifang Ren ◽  
Yanan Xing ◽  
Yuefei Yin ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic variceal ligation + endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EVL+EIS) to control acute variceal bleeding (AVB).Methods: Online databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM) disc, VIP, and Wanfang, were searched to identify the studies comparing the differences between EVB+EIS and EVB, EIS from the inception of the databases up to December 30, 2020. STATA 13.0 was used for the meta-analysis.Results: A total of eight studies involving 595 patients (317 patients in the EVL group and 278 patients in the EVL+EIS group) were included. The results of the meta-analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences in the efficacy of acute bleeding control (P = 0.981), overall rebleeding (P = 0.415), variceal eradication (P = 0.960), and overall mortality (P = 0.314), but a significant difference was noted in the overall complications (P = 0.01).Conclusion: EVL is superior to the combination of EVL and EIS in safety, while no statistically significant differences were detected in efficacy. Further studies should be designed with a large sample size, multiple centers, and randomized controlled trials to assess both clinical interventions.


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