Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) offers access to many intra-abdominal vessels that until now have only been accessible to the surgeon and interventional radiologist. In addition to assisting with diagnostics, this unique access offers the potential for therapeutic intervention for a host of indications. To date, this has had the most clinical impact in the treatment of gastroesophageal varices, with EUS-guided coil and glue application growing in use worldwide. Although randomised controlled trial data is lacking, we discuss the growing body of literature behind EUS-guided therapy in the management of varices. EUS has also been used in specialized centres to assist in non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding. The treatment of bleeding from Dieulafoy lesions, tumours and pancreatic pseudoaneurysms has all been described. The potential applications of EUS have also extended to the placement of portal vein stents and porto-systemic shunts in animal models. As medicine continues to move to increasingly less invasive interventions, EUS-guided therapies offer substantial promise for the safe and effective delivery of targeted treatment for a widening array of vascular disorders.
Adhesives ; Aneurysm, False ; Endosonography ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hemorrhage ; Models, Animal ; Portal Pressure ; Portal Vein ; Stents ; Ultrasonography ; Varicose Veins

Background & Objective: Endovascular treatment is the widely accepted treatment for patients with anterior circulation stroke within 6 hours of onset of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the advantages of endovascular treatment compared to standard medical treatment in treating patients with anterior circulation stroke beyond the 6-hour therapeutic window. Methods: We reviewed the literature concerning endovascular treatment versus medical treatment beyond the 6-hour therapeutic window. Using random-effects meta-analysis, we evaluated the following outcomes: modified Rankin scale in the three-month follow-up [excellent outcome (mRS≤1), functional independence (mRS≤2), moderate outcome(mRS≤3)], recanalization rate at 24 hours, mortality at 90 days or in-hospital, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, parenchymal hematoma type 2 and hemorrhagic infarction 1. Results: Four studies including 642 patients were evaluated. Endovascular treatment was associated with higher odds of excellent outcome (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.48 to 4.41,), functional independence (OR 3.64; 95% CI 2.43 to 5.45), moderate outcome (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.95-3.74) and recanalization rate at 24 hours (OR 8.81; 95%CI 2.81 to 27.69) compared to MT. No difference in the rates of mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, parenchymal hematoma type 2 or hemorrhagic infarction 1 was found between the 2 groups. Studies using strict perfusion imaging inclusion selection showed better moderate outcome in comparison to the studies without perfusion imaging inclusion selection (P <0.012). Conclusion: Our study highlights the superiority of endovascular treatment over standard medical treatment alone for treating patients with anterior circulation stroke beyond 6 hours since stroke onset, although more studies are required for further investigation. Standard of strict selection for eligible patients before endovascular treatment should be based on DAWN or DEFFUSE 3 inclusion criteria.