OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) to treat gastric variceal hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2012 to June 2014, 19 patients (11 men and 8 women, median age; 61, with history of gastric variceal hemorrhage; 17, active bleeding; 2) who underwent PARTO using a vascular plug and a gelfoam pledget were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and laboratory data were examined to evaluate primary (technical and clinical success, complications) and secondary (worsening of esophageal varix [EV], change in liver function) end points. Median follow-up duration was 11 months, from 6.5 to 18 months. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare laboratory data before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Technical success (complete occlusion of the efferent shunt and complete filling of gastric varix [GV] with a gelfoam slurry) was achieved in 18 of 19 (94.7%) patients. The embolic materials could not reach the GV in 1 patient who had endoscopic glue injection before our procedure. The clinical success rate (no recurrence of gastric variceal bleeding) was the same because the technically failed patient showed recurrent bleeding later. Acute complications included fever (n = 2), fever and hypotension (n = 2; one diagnosed adrenal insufficiency), and transient microscopic hematuria (n = 3). Ten patients underwent follow-up endoscopy; all exhibited GV improvement, except 2 without endoscopic change. Five patients exhibited aggravated EV, and 2 of them had a bleeding event. Laboratory findings were significantly improved after PARTO. CONCLUSION: PARTO is technically feasible, safe, and effective for gastric variceal hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension.
Aged ; Balloon Occlusion ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications/radiography/*therapy ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/therapy ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable/chemistry ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Duodenal variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis or other causes is uncommon. We report on a case of a 55-year-old male with an ectopic variceal rupture at the distal fourth part of the duodenum who presented with massive hematochezia and shock. Shortly after achievement of hemodynamic stability, due to the limitation of an endoscopic procedure, we initially attempted to find the bleeding focus by abdominal computed tomography, which showed tortuous duodenal varices that drained into the left gonadal vein. He was treated with first-line balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO), resulting in a favorable long-term outcome without rebleeding three years later. This case suggests that BRTO may be a first-line therapeutic option for control of ruptured duodenal varices, especially at a distal location.
Balloon Occlusion ; Duodenal Diseases/*diagnosis/radiography/therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; etiology ; therapy ; Anti-Retroviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Disease Progression ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Fatal Outcome ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; HIV Infections ; complications ; diagnosis ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; complications ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Radiography ; Renal Dialysis ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and usefulness of a two-tiered approach to balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) as a treatment for large gastric varices after portal hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 patients were studied who underwent B-RTO for gastric varices between October 2004 and October 2011 in our institution. The B-RTO procedure was performed from the right femoral vein and the B-RTO catheter was retained until the following morning. Distribution of sclerotic agents in the gastric varices on fluoroscopy was evaluated in all patients on days 1 and 2. When distribution of sclerotic agents in the gastric varices on day 1 had been none or very scanty even though the volume of the sclerotic agent infused was above the acceptable level, a second infusion was administered on day 2. When distribution was satisfactory, the B-RTO catheter was removed. RESULTS: In 8 (16%) patients, little or no sclerotic agent infused on day 1 was distributed in the gastric varices. However, on day 2, sclerotic agents were distributed in all gastric varices. Mean volume of ethanolamine oleate-iopamidol infused on day 1 was 24.6 mL and was 19.4 mL on day 2. Gastric varices were well obliterated with no recurrence. Complications caused by the sclerotic agent such as pulmonary edema or renal insufficiencies were not seen. CONCLUSION: When gastric varices are very large, a strategy involving thrombosis of only the drainage vein on the first day followed by infusing the sclerotic agent on the following day might be effective and feasible.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Balloon Occlusion/*methods ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Collateral Circulation ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/etiology/radiography/*therapy ; Female ; Femoral Vein ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology/*therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/*complications ; Iopamidol/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oleic Acids/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerosing Solutions/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) developed after treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a rare but usually fatal complication. We report a rare case of AEF bleeding after endovascular stent grafting for AAA which was managed angiographically. An 81-year-old man presented with hematochezia and acute abdominal pain for 1 day ago. Four years ago, an aortic stent was implanted in the infrarenal aorta for AAA. Endoscopies were performed to evaluate the hematochezia. Evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding was observed, but a clear bleeding point was not detected on upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography performed subsequently showed that the bleeding point was located in the fourth portion of the duodenum as an AEF caused by an inflammatory process in the stent-graft. Intra-arterial angiography showed a massive contrast leakage into the bowel via a small fistula from around the aortic stent graft site. Embolization was successfully performed by injecting a mixture of glue and lipiodol into the AEF tract. The patient was discharged with no evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding after the embolization.
Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/*therapy ; Aortic Diseases/*etiology/radiography/therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Fistula/*etiology/radiography/therapy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Stents/*adverse effects ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy as well as long-term clinical outcomes of superselective microcoil embolization for lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2009, 26 patients with intended transcatheter embolotherapy for LGIB were retrospectively reviewed. Embolization was performed only when the catheter could be advanced to or distal to the mesenteric border of the bowel. The main purpose of our study was to assess technical success, recurrent bleeding rate and complications. We also evaluated the long-term clinical outcome, including late recurrent LGIB, bowel ischemia and the survival rate. RESULTS: Twenty-two bleeding sources were in the territory of superior mesenteric artery and four in the inferior mesenteric artery. Technical success was achieved in 22 patients (84.6%). The target vessel of embolization was vasa recta in seventeen patients and marginal artery in the remaining five patients. Early rebleeding occurred in two patients (7.7%) and bowel ischemia in two patients, of whom the embolized points were both at the marginal artery. Delayed recurrent bleeding (> 30 days) occurred in two angiodysplasia patients. Five patients (19.2%) died within the first 30 days of intervention. Long-term follow-up depicted estimated survival rates of 58.2 and 43.1% after one, and five years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter embolotherapy to treat LGIB is effective with low rebleeding and ischemic complications. Considering the advanced age and complex medical problems of these patients, the minimal invasive embolotherapy may be used as both a primary and potentially definitive treatment of LGIB.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colonoscopy ; Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects/*methods ; Endpoint Determination ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/radiography/*therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

A Dieulafoy lesion in the rectum is a very rare and it can cause massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. An 83-year-old man visited our hospital. He had chronic constipation and had taken aspirin for about 10 years because of a previous brain infarction. He was admitted because of a recent brain stroke. On the third hospital day, he had massive hematochezia and suddenly developed hypovolemic shock. Abdominal computed tomography showed active arterial bleeding on the left side of the mid-rectum. Emergency sigmoidoscopy showed an exposed vessel with blood spurting from the rectal wall. The active bleeding was controlled successfully by an injection of epinephrine and two hemoclippings. On the fourth day after the procedure, he had massive recurrent hematochezia, and his vital signs were unstable. Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery band ligation was performed urgently at two sites. However, he rebled on the third postoperative day. Selective inferior mesenteric angiography revealed an arterial pseudoaneurysm in a branch of the superior rectal artery, as the cause of rectal bleeding, and this was embolized successfully. We report a rare case of life-threatening rectal bleeding caused by a Dieulafoy lesion combined with pseudoaneurysm of the superior rectal artery which was treated successfully with embolization.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm/radiography ; Angiography ; Aspirin/therapeutic use ; Brain Infarction/drug therapy/prevention & control ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Hemorrhoids/*complications ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior/radiography ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Rectal Diseases/complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Rectum/blood supply ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A Dieulafoy lesion in the rectum is a very rare and it can cause massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. An 83-year-old man visited our hospital. He had chronic constipation and had taken aspirin for about 10 years because of a previous brain infarction. He was admitted because of a recent brain stroke. On the third hospital day, he had massive hematochezia and suddenly developed hypovolemic shock. Abdominal computed tomography showed active arterial bleeding on the left side of the mid-rectum. Emergency sigmoidoscopy showed an exposed vessel with blood spurting from the rectal wall. The active bleeding was controlled successfully by an injection of epinephrine and two hemoclippings. On the fourth day after the procedure, he had massive recurrent hematochezia, and his vital signs were unstable. Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery band ligation was performed urgently at two sites. However, he rebled on the third postoperative day. Selective inferior mesenteric angiography revealed an arterial pseudoaneurysm in a branch of the superior rectal artery, as the cause of rectal bleeding, and this was embolized successfully. We report a rare case of life-threatening rectal bleeding caused by a Dieulafoy lesion combined with pseudoaneurysm of the superior rectal artery which was treated successfully with embolization.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm/radiography ; Angiography ; Aspirin/therapeutic use ; Brain Infarction/drug therapy/prevention & control ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Hemorrhoids/*complications ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior/radiography ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Rectal Diseases/complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Rectum/blood supply ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical aspects and clinical efficacy of selective embolization for post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 10 patients (3%; M:F = 6:4; mean age, 63.3 years) that underwent selective embolization for post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding among 344 patients who received arteriography for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding from 2000 to 2009. We analyzed the endoscopic procedure, onset of bleeding, underlying clinical condition, angiographic findings, interventional procedure, and outcomes in these patients. RESULTS: Among the 12 bleeding branches, primary success of hemostasis was achieved in 10 bleeding branches (83%). Secondary success occurred in two additional bleeding branches (100%) after repeated embolization. In 10 patients, post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleedings were detected during the endoscopic procedure (n = 2, 20%) or later (n = 8, 80%), and the delay was from one to eight days (mean, 2.9 days; +/- 2.3). Coagulopathy was observed in three patients. Eight patients had a single bleeding branch, whereas two patients had two branches. On the selective arteriography, bleeding branches originated from the posterior pancreaticoduodenal artery (n = 8, 67%) and anterior pancreaticoduodenal artery (n = 4, 33%), respectively. Superselection was achieved in four branches and the embolization was performed with n-butyl cyanoacrylate. The eight branches were embolized by combined use of coil, n-butyl cyanoacrylate, or Gelfoam. After the last embolization, there was no rebleeding or complication related to embolization. CONCLUSION: Selective embolization is technically feasible and an effective procedure for post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding. In addition, the posterior pancreaticoduodenal artery is the main origin of the causative vessels of post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Biliary Tract Diseases/radiography/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*etiology/radiography/*therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*etiology/radiography/*therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; *Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment outcome is associated with visualization of contrast extravasation in patients with acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2009, patients that experienced a first attack of acute gastrointestinal bleeding after failure of initial endoscopy were referred to our interventional department for intra-arterial treatment. We enrolled 79 patients and divided them into two groups: positive and negative extravasation. For positive extravasation, patients were treated by coil embolization; and in negative extravasation, patients were treated with intra-arterial vasopressin infusion. The two groups were compared for clinical parameters, hemodynamics, laboratory findings, endoscopic characteristics, and mortality rates. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients had detectable contrast extravasation (positive extravasation), while 31 patients did not (negative extravasation). Fifty-six patients survived from this bleeding episode (overall clinical success rate, 71%). An elevation of hemoglobin level was observed in the both two groups; significantly greater in the positive extravasation group compared to the negative extravasation group. Although these patients were all at high risk of dying, the 90-day mortality rate was significantly lower in the positive extravasation than in the negative extravasation (20% versus 42%, p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis suggested that successful hemostasis (odds ratio [OR] = 28.66) is the most important predictor affecting the mortality in the two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Visualization of contrast extravasation on angiography usually can target the bleeding artery directly, resulting in a higher success rate to control of hemorrhage.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Angiography ; *Embolization, Therapeutic ; Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials/*radiography ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/mortality/radiography/*therapy ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Hemostatics/*administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Radiography, Interventional ; Treatment Failure ; Vasopressins/*administration & dosage ; Young Adult