EUS coil and glue for gastric varices-prevent, treat and rescue, one therapy to rule them all?

Background And Objectives: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.