Nguyen, Andrew K. L.

Abstract Background and Objectives Gastric varices (GVs) are associated with a higher risk of uncontrolled bleeding and death when compared with esophageal varices. While endoscopic glue injection therapy has been traditionally used for secondary prophylaxis in GV, data regarding primary prophylaxis continue to emerge. Recently, EUS–guided therapies have been used in GV bleeding. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of several major databases from inception to June 2022. Our primary goals were to estimate the pooled rates of treatment efficacy, GV obliteration, GV recurrence, and rebleeding with EUS-guided therapy in primary and secondary prophylaxis. Overall adverse events and technical failures were assessed. Random-effects model was used for our meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 % statistics. Results Eighteen studies with 604 patients were included. In primary prophylaxis, pooled rate of GV obliteration was 90.2% (confidence interval [CI], 81.1–95.2; I 2 = 0). With combination EUS–glue and coil therapy, the rate was 95.4% (CI, 86.7%–98.5%; I 2 = 0). Pooled rate of posttherapy GV bleeding was 4.9% (CI, 1.8%–12.4%; I 2 = 0). In secondary prophylaxis, pooled rate of treatment efficacy was 91.9% (CI, 86.8%–95.2%; I 2 = 12). With EUS-glue, EUS-coil, and combination EUS–glue and coil, the rates were 94.3% (CI, 88.9%–97.1%; I 2 = 0), 95.5% (CI, 80.3%–99.1%; I 2 = 0), and 88.7% (CI, 76%–95.1%; I 2 = 14), respectively. Pooled rate of GV obliteration was 83.6% (CI, 71.5%–91.2%; I 2 = 74). With EUS-glue, EUS-coil, and combination EUS–glue and coil, the rates were 84.6% (CI, 75.9%–90.6%; I 2 = 31), 92.3% (CI, 81.1%–97.1%; I 2 = 0), and 84.5% (CI, 50.8%–96.7%; I 2 = 75), respectively. Pooled rates of GV rebleeding and recurrence were 18.1% (CI, 13.1%–24.3%; I 2 = 16) and 20.6% (CI, 9.3%–39.5%; I 2 = 66), respectively. Conclusion Our analysis shows that EUS-guided therapy for GVs is technically feasible and clinically successful in both primary and secondary prophylaxis of GV.

Abtract Background and study aims Endoscopic and surgical techniques have been utilized for palliation of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Enteral stenting (ES) is an established technique with high clinical success and low morbidity rate. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a novel approach that aims to provide sustained palliation of GOO. We conducted a comprehensive review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness in terms of clinical and technical success, as well as the safety profile of EUS-GE and ES. Methods We searched multiple databases from inception through July 2020 to identify studies that reported on safety and effectiveness of EUS-GE in comparison to ES. Pooled rates of technical success, clinical success, and adverse events (AEs) were calculated. Study heterogeneity was assessed using I2% and 95 % confidence interval. Results Five studies including 659 patients were included in our final analysis. Pooled rate of technical and clinical success for EUS-GE was 95.2 % (CI 87.2-.98.3, I2 = 42) and 93.3 % (CI 84.4–97.3, I2 = 59) while for ES it was 96.9 % (CI 90.9–99, I2 = 64) and 85.6 % (CI 73–92.9, I2 = 85), respectively. Pooled rate of re-intervention was significantly lower with EUS-GE i. e. 4 % (CI 1.8–8.7, I2 = 35) compared to ES, where it was 23.6 % (CI 17.5–31, I2 = 35), p = 0.001. Pooled rates of overall and major AEs were comparable between the two techniques. Conclusion EUS-GE is comparable in terms of technical and clinical effectiveness and has a similar safety profile when compared to ES for palliation of GOO.