UNASSIGNED: In portal hypertension, gastric varix-associated bleeding is known to have higher transfusion requirements, uncontrolled bleeding, rebleeding, intensive care unit requirements, and death. EUS-guided coil insertion is now an acceptable modality for endoscopic management in cases of gastric varices. With this study, we discuss our large single-center experience in the use of EUS for coil and glue injection in gastric varices. We also look into adverse events associated with and possibilities of using this modality as both primary prophylaxis and a rescue therapy.
UNASSIGNED: The study was conducted in a tertiary care center in India. A total of 86 patients were included in the study. The indication for EUS-guided coil and glue was divided into 3 clinical situations, namely, rebleed, rescue, and primary. The technical success and clinical success, that is, control of bleed in patients, were confirmed by absence of Doppler signal on EUS, endoscopic view, and stabilized hemoglobin with no need of blood product transfusion to maintain hemoglobin.
UNASSIGNED: The mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh score and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Na score were 9.2 and 14.6, respectively. The mean size of the gastric varices was 18.9 mm. The mean number of coils used was 2.9, and the average quantity of glue required was 1.6 mL. The technical success was 100% across the patient group. Clinical success was seen in 90% of the patient group. Mean follow-up was seen for 175.2 days.
UNASSIGNED: EUS-guided coil and glue therapy has a role in different clinical settings, as primary therapy, rebleed, and rescue therapy. It has significant technical and clinical success. Its role in treatment algorithms needs to be further studied in prospective studies. It may offer a cost advantage in comparison to interventional radiology-led interventions.

OBJECTIVE: Aging is a process of physiological slowing, reduced regenerative capacity and inability to maintain cellular homeostasis. World Health Organisation declared the commencement of population aging globally, largely attributed to improvement in the healthcare system with early diagnosis and effective clinical management. Liver ages similar to other organs, with reduction in size and blood flow. In this review we aim to evaluate the effect of aging in liver disease.
RESULTS: Aging causes dysregulation of major carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism in the liver. Age is a major risk factor for liver fibrosis accelerated by sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction and immunological disharmony. Age plays a major role in patients with liver cirrhosis and influence outcomes in patients with portal hypertension. Transient elastography may be an useful tool in the assessment of portal hypertension. Hepatic structural distortion, increased vascular resistance, state of chronic inflammation, associated comorbidities, lack of physiological reserve in the older population may aggravate portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis and may result in pronounced variceal bleed. Cut-offs for other non-invasive markers of fibrosis may differ in the elderly population. Non-selective beta blockers initiated at lower dose followed by escalation are the first line of therapy in elderly patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, unless contraindicated. Acute variceal bleed in the elderly cirrhotic patients can be life threatening and may cause rapid exsanguination due to poor reserve and associated comorbidities. Vasoactive drugs may be associated with more adverse reactions. Early endoscopy may be warranted in the elderly patients with acute variceal bleed. Role of TIPS in the elderly cirrhotics discussed. Management of portal hypertension in the older population may pose significant challenges to the treating clinician.

UNASSIGNED: Limited data exist on the safety of early nasogastric (NG) feeding in patients with cirrhosis after endotherapy for variceal bleeding (VB). We studied the impact of early NG tube feeding in these patients in this proof-of-concept open-label randomized controlled trial.
UNASSIGNED: Eligible patients with cirrhosis undergoing endotherapy for VB were randomized to receive either a liquid diet through a 14 Fr NG tube (commencing 1 h after endotherapy) (early feeding [EF] group) or sips of water and lemon water orally (standard-of-care [SOC] group) for total duration of 48 h. The primary outcome was 5-day rebleeding in both arms. Other outcomes included 5-day infection rate, hepatic encephalopathy during hospitalization, and 6-week mortality.
UNASSIGNED: Eighty patients (Mean age: 41 ± 11.5 years; males [82.5%]; alcohol etiology [55%]) were included. Baseline median Child-Pugh and MELD scores were similar (CTP: 8 [IQR: 8-9] vs 9 [8-9.25]; P = 0.47 and MELDNa: 13 [10.75-16.25] vs 15 [12-18.25]; P = 0.16). The 5-day rebleeding rates in EF and SOC groups were 2.5% and 5%, respectively (P = 0.55), and non-inferiority or superiority of either could not be demonstrated. The incidence of infection (2.5% [EF] vs 2.5% [SOC]; P = 1.00) and development of HE (5% [EF] vs 2.5% [SOC]; P = 0.36) during hospitalization were comparable. The average daily calorie and protein intake in the EF group during the 48 h was 1318 ± 240 Kcals and 43.4 ± 9.2 g of proteins. No patient in the EF group had feed intolerance.
UNASSIGNED: Early initiation of NG tube-based feeding after endotherapy in VB appears safe and well tolerated without the additional risk of rebleeding or encephalopathy.

UNASSIGNED: Concerned studies with respect to the outcome of pregnant patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension are limited. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature was conducted.
UNASSIGNED: A literature search was conducted from 1999 to December 2021 for studies evaluating pregnancy outcomes in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.
UNASSIGNED: Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled rate of variceal bleeding, ascites and severe anemia requiring blood transfusion were 9.6%, 2.3%, and 14.9%, respectively. The pooled rate of spontaneous miscarriage, gestational hypertension, delivery by cesarean section, and postpartum hemorrhage were 11.9%, 4.5%, 36.7%, and 4.7%, respectively. The pooled stillbirth rate was 2.5% and among the live births, the pooled rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, intensive care unit admission, and neonatal mortality were 21.6%, 18.7%, 15.5%, and 1.8%, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: Pregnancy in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension is associated with increased maternal & fetal morbidity but mortality remains low.

UNASSIGNED: Limited data exist on strategies other than hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) estimation to predict future events in patients with cirrhosis presenting with variceal bleed (VB) but are otherwise compensated. We assessed whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) during VB episode could accurately predict this risk.
UNASSIGNED: Consecutive patients with cirrhosis with VB as their index decompensation event underwent HVPG and LSM estimation during the VB episode in this prospective study. New onset further decompensation events (ascites, VB, encephalopathy) was assessed over follow-up. The performance characteristics of postbleed LSM were compared with model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score and HVPG to predict future decompensation and were cross-validated.
UNASSIGNED: Mean age of the cohort (n = 68) was 44.2 years and alcohol-related liver disease (55.9%) was the most common etiology. Over a median follow-up of 14 (9-18) months, 18(26.4%) patients developed further decompensation with ascites being the most common event. Patients with further decompensation had a higher median postbleed LSM [60.5 kPa (53-70) vs. 25 kPa (18-34), P < 0.001], HVPG [ 19 mm Hg vs. 16 mmHg, P = 0.005], and MELD score [ 12.5 (11-14.7) vs. 10 (8-12) P < 0.001]. The area under receiver-operator characteristics curve for postbleed LSM [0.928 (95%CI: 0.868-0.988)] was higher than both HVPG [0.733(0.601-0.865), P = 0.003] and MELD score [0.776(0.664-0.889), P = 0.019] to predict further decompensation. Optimism-corrected c-statistic using MELD and postbleed LSM was similar to a combination of HVPG, MELD, and postbleed LSM.
UNASSIGNED: Postbleed LSM is comparable to HVPG estimation in predicting further decompensation events in patients with otherwise compensated cirrhosis presenting with VB.

Paracenteses are considered safe procedures; however, in patients with portal hypertension, the rapid shifts in intraabdominal pressure can prompt hemorrhage from an ectopic varix. Little literature exists on the appropriate management in this clinical setting. Here, we describe a patient with portal hypertension secondary to Budd-Chiari syndrome, presenting with massive hemoperitoneum following paracentesis. Angiography was performed, without revealing an arterial source of bleeding. Subsequently, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement was performed via a recanalized middle hepatic vein, reducing the patient\'s portosystemic gradient from 15 to 6 mm Hg. This patient developed no further signs or symptoms of bleeding and remained hemodynamically stable until discharge. Follow-up imaging confirmed patency of her shunt and resolution of her ascites, without the need for future paracentesis. This case highlights that in the absence of arterial extravasation, the possibility of ectopic variceal hemorrhage should be considered, which can be successfully treated with portosystemic shunt creation.

To evaluate the feasibility of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in children with portal hypertensive complications, PubMed and Cochrane Library were queried to identify clinical studies evaluating TIPS in patients <18 years old. Baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory values, and clinical outcomes were extracted. Eleven observational studies totaling 198 subjects were included in the study. The pooled technical success rate and hemodynamic success rate were 94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86-99%) and 91% (95% CI: 82-97%), respectively; ongoing variceal bleeding resolved in 99.5% (95% CI: 97-100%); refractory ascites was improved in 96% (95% CI: 69-100%); post-TIPS bleeding rate was 14% (95% CI: 1-33%); 88% of patients were alive or successfully received liver transplant (95% CI: 79-96%); and shunt dysfunction rate was 27% (95% CI: 17-38%). Hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 10.6% (21/198), though 85.7% (18/21) resolved with medical management only. In conclusion, based on moderate levels of evidence, TIPS is a safe and effective intervention that should be considered in pediatric patients with portal hypertensive complications. Future comparative studies are warranted.

The complex and critically unwell upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) patient is a common emergency presentation in Australia. Managed medically and endoscopically by rural general surgeons in rural and remote Australian hospitals which lack a gastroenterology service, this can be ameliorated by clear evidence-based guidelines.
A single-centre retrospective review of adult patients who underwent emergency gastroscopy for UGIB at the Mackay Base Hospital, January 2019 to January 2022. Detailed patient data from the assessment, resuscitation, time to endoscopy, endoscopic intervention, and outcomes were compared against key international gastroenterology society safety and quality standards for UGIB.
Two hundred patients had a comprehensive initial assessment and resuscitation with PRBC (39%), anticoagulation reversal (18%), pantoprazole infusion (81%), tranexamic acid (10.50%) and octreotide (16.50%). Risk scores were calculated retrospectively as none were documented. Time-to-endoscopy targets were achieved in over 70% of variceal or non-variceal UGIB patients. Bleeding was found in 59.50% of patients but 63% of patients did not require a manoeuvre to stop the bleeding. Post-operative complications were scarce.
This study reflects on the need for a local multidisciplinary protocol to help expedite the current high-quality healthcare delivered by rural general surgeons in managing patients with UGIB. Implementing risk assessment scores would shorten the time to endoscopy in the initial assessment Guidelines would optimize resuscitation ensuring appropriate replacement, medication administration, anticoagulation reversal, and preventing unnecessary therapy. Despite these nuisances, the time to endoscopy, endoscopic intervention, and patient outcomes were largely in line with international quality assurance and safety targets.

OBJECTIVE: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common emergency, with high rates of hospitalization and in-patient mortality compared to other gastrointestinal diseases. Despite readmission rates being a common quality metric, little data are available for UGIBs. This study aimed to determine readmission rates for patients discharged following an UGIB.
METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched to October 16, 2021. Randomized and non-randomized studies that reported hospital readmission for patients following an UGIB were included. Abstract screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted in duplicate. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, with statistical heterogeneity measured using I2 . The GRADE framework, with a modified Downs and Black tool, was used to determine certainty of evidence.
RESULTS: Seventy studies were included of 1847 screened abstracted, with moderate interrater reliability. Within these studies, 4 292 714 patients were analyzed with a mean age of 66.6 years, and 54.7% male. UGIB had a 30-day all-cause readmission rate of 17.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16.7-18.2%), stratification revealed a higher rate for variceal UGIB [19.6% (95% CI 17.6-21.5%)] than non-variceal [16.8% (95% CI 16.0-17.5%)]. Only one third were readmitted due to recurrent UGIB (4.8% [95% CI 3.1-6.4%]). UGIB due to peptic ulcer bleeding had the lowest 30-day readmission rate [6.9% (95% CI 3.8-10.0%)]. Certainty of evidence was low or very low for all outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Almost one in five patients discharged after an UGIB are readmitted within 30 days. These data should prompt clinicians to reflect on their own practice to identify areas of strength or improvement.

BACKGROUND: Variceal bleeding is a key and most fatal complication observed in chronic liver disease patients with portal hypertension and is a major contributor to the high morbidity and mortality seen in these patients. Exploring the predictors of rebleeding in chronic liver disease patients is of paramount importance to alter disease course and impact on morbidity and mortality.
METHODS: About 50 patients with chronic liver disease who previously had evidence of varices on upper GI endoscopy and had at least one episode of rebleeding after EVBL were included in this study. Patients were assessed for the possible contributors to rebleeding through complete history, clinical examination, coagulation profile and platelet count, ultrasound features (splenic size and portal pressure), and upper GI endoscopic findings (site and grade of varices, red sign). Sample selection was done using non-probability purposive sampling technique and sample size calculated using the standard WHO formula. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.
RESULTS: In this study, mean age of the patients was 51.34±6.34 years with male predominance (64%). Rebleeding was significantly associated with grade of varices, presence of red sign on upper GI endoscopy, site of varices, splenic size and coagulopathy.
CONCLUSIONS: Rebleeding in chronic liver disease patients following EVBL is predicted by grade, extent and site of varices, red sign on upper GI endoscopy, splenic size and coagulation disturbances.