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Esophageal Stent in Acute Refractory Variceal Bleeding: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis
Songtanin, B., Kahathuduwa, C., Nugent, K.
Journal of clinical medicine. 2024;13(2)
Abstract
Background: Acute esophageal variceal bleeding accounts for up to 70% of upper-gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. About 10-20% of patients with acute variceal bleeding have refractory bleeding that is not controlled by medical or endoscopic therapy, and this condition can be life-threatening. Balloon tamponade is a long-standing therapy which is only effective temporarily and has several complications, while transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and liver transplantation may not be readily available at some centers. The use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) in refractory esophageal variceal bleeding has been studied for effectiveness and adverse events and has been recommended for use as a bridge to a more definitive treatment. Aim: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of SEMSs in managing refractory variceal bleeding. Methods: A systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases was performed from inception to October 2022 using the following terms: "esophageal stent", "self-expandable metal stents", "endoscopic hemostasis", "refractory esophageal varices", and "esophageal variceal bleeding". Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they met the following criteria: (1) patients' age older than 18 and (2) a study (or case series) that has at least 10 patients in the study. Exclusion criteria included (1) non-English publications, (2) in case of overlapping cohorts, data from the most recent and/or most appropriate comprehensive report were collected. DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the meta package in R statistical software(version 4.2.2). Results: Twelve studies involving 225 patients with 228 stents were included in the analyses. The mean age and/or median age ranged from 49.4 to 69 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 4.4 to 1. The median follow-up period was 42 days. The mean SEMS dwell time was 9.4 days. The most common cause of acute refractory variceal bleeding in chronic liver disease patients included alcohol use followed by viral hepatitis. The pooled rate of immediate bleeding control was 91% (95% CI 82-95%, I(2) = 0). The pooled rate of rebleeding was 17% (95% CI 8-32%, I(2) = 69). The pooled rate of stent ulceration was 7% (95% CI 3-13%, I(2) = 0), and the pooled rate of stent migration was 18% (95% CI 9-32%, I(2) = 38). The pooled rate of all-cause mortality was 38% (95% CI 30-47%, I(2) = 34). Conclusions: SEMSs should be primarily considered as salvage therapy when endoscopic band ligation and sclerotherapy fail and can be used as a bridge to emergent TIPS or definitive therapy, such as liver transplantation.
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Endoscopic Primary Prophylaxis to Prevent Bleeding in Children with Esophageal Varices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Alatas, F. S., Monica, E., Ongko, L., Kadim, M.
Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition. 2023;26(5):231-238
Abstract
PURPOSE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare endoscopy as primary versus secondary prophylaxis to prevent future bleeding in children with esophageal varices. METHODS A systematic literature search using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method was conducted using the Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases for relevant studies on the outcome of rebleeding events after endoscopy in primary prophylaxis compared to that in secondary prophylaxis. The following keywords were used: esophageal varices, children, endoscopy, primary prophylaxis and bleeding. The quality of eligible articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and statistically analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS A total of 174 children were included from four eligible articles. All four studies were considered of high-quality based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Patients who received primary prophylaxis had 79% lower odds of bleeding than those who received secondary prophylaxis (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.66; I(2)=0%, p=0.008). Patients in the primary prophylaxis group underwent fewer endoscopic procedures to eradicate varices than those in the secondary prophylaxis group, with a mean difference of 1.73 (95% CI, 0.91-2.56; I(2)=62%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Children with high-risk varices who underwent primary prophylaxis were less likely to experience future bleeding episodes and required fewer endoscopic procedures to eradicate the varices than children who underwent secondary prophylaxis.
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Neuroendoscopic evacuation improves outcomes compared to external ventricular drainage in patients with spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage: a systematic review with meta-analyses
Mezzacappa FM, Weisbrod LJ, Schmidt CM, Surdell D
World neurosurgery. 2023
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment for the resulting obstructive hydrocephalus has traditionally been via an external ventricular drain (EVD). We aimed to compare patient outcomes after neuroendoscopic surgery (NES) evacuation of IVH versus EVD management. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched on October 8, 2022, with adherence to PRISMA guidelines. Of the 252 records remaining after removal of duplicates, 12 met the study's inclusion criteria. After extraction of outcomes data, fixed-effects and random-effects models were used to establish odds-ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for intensive care-unit (ICU) length-of-stay (LOS), rate of permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, Glasgow Outcomes Scale (GOS) score, and mortality rate. RESULTS The results of the pooled analysis showed that ICU LOS was shorter (OR -2.61 [95% CI -5.02, -0.19]; I(2)=97.76%; p=0.034), permanent CSF diversion was less likely (OR -0.79 [95% CI -1.17, -0.41]; I(2)=46.96%; p<0.001), higher GOS was more likely (OR 0.48 [95% CI 0.04, 0.93]; I(2)=60.12%; p=0.032), and all-cause mortality was less likely (OR -1.11 [95% CI -1.79, -0.44]; I(2)=0%; p=0.001) in the NES evacuation group compared to the EVD group. CONCLUSIONS NES for evacuation of spontaneous IVH results in reduced ICU LOS, reduced permanent CSF diversion rates, improved GOS, and reduced mortality when compared with EVD. More robust prospective, randomized studies are necessary to help inform the safety and utility of NES for IVH.
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Pre-treatment re-bleeding following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A systematic review of published prediction models with risk of bias and clinical applicability assessment
Dissanayake, A. S., Ho, K. M., Phillips, T. J., Honeybul, S., Hankey, G. J.
Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia. 2023;119:102-111
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-treatment rebleeding following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) increases the risk of death and a poor neurological outcome. Current guidelines recommend aneurysm treatment "as early as feasible after presentation, preferably within 24 h of onset" to mitigate this risk, a practice termed ultra-early treatment. However, ongoing debate regarding whether ultra-early treatment is independently associated with reduced re-bleeding risk, together with the recognition that re-bleeding occurs even in centres practicing ultra-early treatment due to the presence of other risk-factors has resulted in a renewed need for patient-specific re-bleed risk prediction. Here, we systematically review models which seek to provide patient specific predictions of pre-treatment rebleeding risk. METHODS Following registration on the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) CRD 42023421235; Ovid Medline (Pubmed), Embase and Googlescholar were searched for English language studies between 1st May 2002 and 1st June 2023 describing pre-treatment rebleed prediction models following aSAH in adults ≥18 years. Of 763 unique records, 17 full texts were scrutinised with 5 publications describing 4 models reviewed. We used the semi-automated template of Fernandez-Felix et al. incorporating the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) checklist and the Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) for data extraction, risk of bias and clinical applicability assessment. To further standardize risk of bias and clinical applicability assessment, we also used the published explanatory notes for the PROBAST tool and compared the aneurysm treatment practices each prediction model's formulation cohort experienced to a prespecified benchmark representative of contemporary aneurysm treatment practices as outlined in recent evidence-based guidelines and published practice pattern reports from four developed countries. RESULTS Reported model discriminative performance varied between 0.77 and 0.939, however, no single model demonstrated a consistently low risk of bias and low concern for clinical applicability in all domains. Only the score of Darkwah Oppong et al. was formulated using a patient cohort in which the majority of patients were managed in accordance with contemporary, evidence-based aneurysm treatment practices defined by ultra-early and predominantly endovascular treatment. However, this model did not undergo calibration or clinical utility analysis and when applied to an external cohort, its discriminative performance was substantially lower that reported at formulation. CONCLUSIONS No existing prediction model can be recommended for clinical use in centers practicing contemporary, evidence-based aneurysm treatment. There is a pressing need for improved prediction models to estimate and minimize pre-treatment re-bleeding risk.
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Comparative Efficacy of Early TIPS, Non-Early TIPS, and Standard treatment in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding: a network meta-analysis
Huang, Y., Wang, X., Li, X., Sun, S., Xie, Y., Yin, X.
International journal of surgery (London, England). 2023
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cirrhosis is a chronic disease characterized by chronic liver inflammation and diffuse fibrosis. A combination of vasoactive drugs, preventive antibiotics, and endoscopy is the recommended standard treatment for patients with acute variceal bleeding; however, this has been challenged. We compared the effects of early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), non-early TIPS, and standard treatment in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present network meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews guidelines. The review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization-approved trial registry databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating early TIPS, non-early TIPS, and standard treatment in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding. RESULTS Twenty-four RCTs (1,894 patients) were included in the review. Compared with standard treatment, early TIPS (odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.30-0.94; surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA], 98.3) had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (moderate-to-high-quality evidence), and early TIPS (OR, 0.19; 95% CrI, 0.11-0.28; SUCRA, 98.2) and non-early TIPS (OR, 0.30, 95% CrI: 0.23-0.42; SUCRA, 1.8) were associated with a lower risk of rebleeding (moderate-to-high-quality evidence). Early TIPS was not associated with a reduced risk of hepatic encephalopathy, and non-early TIPS (OR, 2.78; 95% CrI, 1.89-4.23, SUCRA, 0) was associated with an increased incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (moderate-to-high-quality evidence). There was no difference in the incidence of new or worsening ascites (moderate-to-high-quality evidence) among the three interventions. CONCLUSION Based on the moderate-to-high quality evidence presented in this study, early TIPS placement was associated with reduced all-cause mortality [with a median follow-up of 1.9 years (25th-75th percentile range 1.9-2.3 years)] and rebleeding compared to standard treatment and non-early TIPS. Although early TIPS and standard treatment had a comparable incidence of hepatic encephalopathy, early TIPS showed superiority over non-early TIPS in this aspect. Recent studies have also shown promising results in controlling TIPS-related hepatic encephalopathy. However, it is important to consider individual patient characteristics and weigh the potential benefits against the risks associated with early TIPS. Therefore, we recommend that clinicians carefully evaluate the patient's condition, considering factors such as severity of variceal bleeding, underlying liver disease, and overall clinical status, before making a treatment decision. Further well-designed RCTs comparing early TIPS with non-early TIPS are needed to validate these findings and provide more definitive guidance.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding (24 randomised controlled trials, n= 1,894).
Intervention
Early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).
Comparison
Non-early TIPS. Standard treatment.
Outcome
Compared with standard treatment, early TIPS (odds ratio (OR) 0.53; 95% credible interval (CrI), [0.30, 0.94]; surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA], 98.3) had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (moderate-to-high-quality evidence), and early TIPS (OR, 0.19; 95% CrI [0.11, 0.28]; SUCRA, 98.2) and non-early TIPS (OR, 0.30; 95% CrI [0.23, 0.42]; SUCRA, 1.8) were associated with a lower risk of rebleeding (moderate-to-high-quality evidence). Early TIPS was not associated with a reduced risk of hepatic encephalopathy, and non-early TIPS (OR 2.78; 95% CrI [1.89, 4.23] SUCRA, 0) was associated with an increased incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (moderate-to-high-quality evidence). There was no difference in the incidence of new or worsening ascites (moderate-to-high-quality evidence) among the three interventions.
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Comparison of revascularization and conservative treatment for hemorrhagic moyamoya disease in East Asian Countries: a single-center case series and a systematic review with meta-analysis
Zhang, X. H., He, J. H., Zhang, X. S., Zhang, J., Wang, C. J., Dong, Y. P., Tao, W.
Frontiers in neurology. 2023;14:1169440
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The optimal treatment approach for hemorrhagic moyamoya disease (HMMD) remains a topic of debate, particularly regarding the comparative efficacy of revascularization versus conservative treatment. Our study, which included a single-center case series and a systematic review with meta-analysis, aimed to determine whether surgical revascularization is associated with a significant reduction in postoperative rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality compared to conservative treatment among East Asian HMMD patients. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review by searching PubMed, Google Scholar, Wanfang Med Online (WMO), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The outcomes of surgical revascularization and conservative treatment, including rebleeding, ischemic events and mortality, were compared. The authors' institutional series of 24 patients were also included and reviewed in the analysis. RESULTS A total of 19 East Asian studies involving 1,571 patients as well as our institution's retrospective study of 24 patients were included in the study. In the adult patients-only studies, those who underwent revascularization had significantly lower rates of rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality compared to those who received conservative treatment (13.1% (46/352) vs. 32.4% (82/253), P < 0.00001; 4.0% (5/124) vs. 14.9% (18/121), P = 0.007; and 3.3% (5/153) vs. 12.6% (12/95), P = 0.01, respectively). In the adult/pediatric patients' studies, similar statistical results of rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality have been obtained (70/588 (11.9%) vs. 103/402 (25.6%), P = 0.003 or <0.0001 in a random or fixed-effects model, respectively; 14/296 (4.7%) vs. 26/183 (14.2%), P = 0.001; and 4.6% (15/328) vs. 18.7% (23/123), P = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION The current single-center case series and systematic review with meta-analysis of studies demonstrated that surgical revascularization, including direct, indirect, and a combination of both, significantly reduces rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality in HMMD patients in the East Asia region. More well-designed studies are warranted to further confirm these findings.
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Endoscopic Evacuation of Massive Intraventricular Hemorrhages Reduces Shunt Dependency: A Meta-Analysis
Fiorindi A, Saraceno G, Zanin L, Terzi di Bergamo L, Feletti A, Doglietto F, Fontanella MM
Asian journal of neurosurgery. 2022;17(4):541-546
Abstract
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is characterized by severe prognosis. The amount of intraventricular blood is the most important, disease-specific, prognostic factor, as acute complications are strictly dependent on clot formation. Although external ventricular drain (EVD) placement is the standard treatment, in the past 15 years neuroendoscopic (NE) evacuation of IVH has been advocated, but available comparative data are limited. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included articles compare the treatment of primary and secondary IVH with NE and EVD. The meta-analysis was performed in terms of shunt dependency. Cochran's Q-test and I2 statistics were used to assess heterogeneity in the studies. No heterogeneity was considered for p greater than 0.05 and I2 less than 20%. A random-effect model was used, with restricted maximum likelihood to estimate the heterogeneity variance. After screening 744 articles, 5 were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 303 patients presenting with primary or pure (50 patients) and secondary (253 patients) IVH, undergoing either NE (151) or EVD (152), were included in the metanalysis. The risk of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was higher in the EVD group (relative risk: 1.93, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.92, p = 0.0094). The risk of VP shunt was higher in the EVD group, but the overall outcome remains poor for patients with IVH, with a moderate-to-high disability. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate more deeper both advantages and effects on the outcome of NE over EVD.
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Relationship between preoperative external ventricular drainage and preoperative rebleeding in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A meta-analysis
Yang C, Zhang Z, Liao R, Li Y
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery. 2022;224:107563
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze published evidence on the relationship between preoperative external ventricular drainage (preop-EVD) and preoperative rebleeding (preop-rebleeding) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHOD A comprehensive search of three databases (PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library) was conducted from their commencement to March 31, 2022. We collected studies reporting preop-EVD of rupture aneurysms while preop-rebleeding events were documented in these studies. We also extracted information on risk factors for preop-rebleeding from the studies and used Review Manager version 5.3 software to analyze. RESULTS A total of 3671 cases from 14 articles were enrolled in this meta-analysis. Preop-rebleeding rate was 11.04 % (106/960) and 9.22 % (250/2711) in preop-EVD group and control group, respectively. The study lacked power to conclude a clinically significant increase in preop-rebleeding risk (OR=1.60, 95 %CI:0.82-3.22). Fisher> 2 (OR=1.86), modified Fisher> 2 (OR=7.57), World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS)> 2 (OR=4.39) and aneurysm size > 1 cm (OR=3.01) were risk factors of preop-rebleeding. Patients with Hunt-Hess (HH)> 2 showed a higher preop-rebleeding trend compared to HH≤ 2, but the result did not reach a statistical difference (OR=6.79, P = 0.06). No difference in preop-rebleeding risk between anterior circulation aneurysms and posterior circulation aneurysms. Hydrocephalus had also been shown to be unrelated to higher preop-rebleeding rate. CONCLUSIONS Current evidence does not support that preop-EVD significantly increases the risk of rebleeding prior to aneurysm repair. Patients with poorer clinical status on admission and aneurysms size > 1 cm are at a higher risk of preop-rebleeding.
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Endoscopic surgery for spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Hallenberger TJ, Guzman R, Bonati LH, Greuter L, Soleman J
Frontiers in neurology. 2022;13:1054106
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment for spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage (SSICH) is limited and consist of either best medical treatment (BMT) or surgical hematoma evacuation. Treatment methods and choice of surgical technique are debated, and so far, no clear advantage of endoscopic surgery (ES) over conventional craniotomy (CC) or BMT was shown. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the differences in outcome, morbidity, and mortality between ES and CC or BMT. METHODS We systematically searched Embase and PubMed databases for randomised controlled trials comparing ES to CC or BMT. The primary outcome was favourable functional outcome after 6 months. Secondary outcomes were morbidity and mortality rates and duration of surgery. RESULTS Seven articles were eligible for the outcome analysis with 312 subjects in the control (216 CC, 96 BMT) and 279 in the treatment group (ES). Compared to BMT, ES showed significantly improved favourable functional outcome (RR 1.93 [1.12; 3.33], p = 0.02) and mortality rates (RR 0.63 [0.44; 0.90], p = 0.01). No significant difference in favourable functional outcome and mortality was seen in ES compared to CC (RR 2.13 [0.01; 737], p = 0.35; RR 0.42 [0.17; 1.05], p = 0.06). ES showed significantly lower morbidity (RR 0.41 [0.29; 0.58], p < 0.01), and overall infection rates (RR 0.33 [0.20; 0.54], p < 0.01) compared to CC. Duration of surgery was significantly shorter for ES compared to CC (SMD -3.17 [-4.35; -2.00], p < 0.01). CONCLUSION ES showed significantly improved favourable functional outcome and mortality rates compared to BMT while showing reduced length of surgery and lower complication rates compared to CC. Therefore, ES appears a promising approach for treatment of SSICH justifying further prospective trials. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42020181018.
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Diagnostic and therapeutic yields of early capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy in the setting of overt GI bleeding: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Estevinho, M. M., Pinho, R., Fernandes, C., Rodrigues, A., Ponte, A., Gomes, A. C., Afecto, E., Correia, J., Carvalho, J.
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2022;95(4):610-625.e9
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) are essential in obscure GI bleeding (OGIB) management. However, the best timing for such procedures remains unknown. This meta-analysis aimed to compare, for the first time, diagnostic and therapeutic yields, detection of active bleeding and vascular lesions, recurrent bleeding, and mortality of "early" versus "nonearly" SBCE and DAE. METHODS MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify studies comparing early versus nonearly SBCE and DAE. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed; reporting quality was assessed. RESULTS From 1974 records, 39 were included (4825 patients). Time intervals for the early approach varied, within 14 days in SBCE and 72 hours in DAE. The pooled diagnostic and therapeutic yields of early DAE were superior to those of SBCE (7.97% and 20.89%, respectively; P < .05). The odds for active bleeding (odds ratio [OR], 5.09; I(2) = 53%), positive diagnosis (OR, 3.99; I(2) = 45%), and therapeutic intervention (OR, 3.86; I(2) = 67%) were higher in the early group for SBCE and DAE (P < .01). Subgroup effects in diagnostic yield were only identified for the early group sample size. Our study failed to identify differences when studies were classified according to time intervals for early DAE (I(2) < 5%), but the analysis was limited because of a lack of data availability. Lower recurrent bleeding in early SBCE and DAE was observed (OR, .40; P < .01; I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSIONS The role of small-bowel studies in the early evaluation of OGIB is unquestionable, impacting diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and prognosis. Comparative studies are still needed to identify optimal timing.