Portal hypertensive enteropathy, occult bleeding, and capsule endoscopy: where do we go from here?

Risk of Rebleeding in Patients with Small Bowel Vascular Lesions

Objective With recent advances in endoscopic modalities, small bowel vascular lesions (SBVLs) are often now detected in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Given the high invasiveness of endoscopic treatment, it is important to select patients at high risk for bleeding. To assess the risk of rebleeding in patients with SBVLs as a systemic disease rather than a gastrointestinal disease in relation to their general health. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 55 patients with SBVLs among patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. The possible association between the clinical findings and the updated Charlson comorbidity index with rebleeding was evaluated. Results Gastrointestinal rebleeding occurred in 20 patients (36.4%) during the follow-up period. The presence of multiple comorbidities as indicated by an updated Charlson comorbidity index of ≥4 was a risk factor for rebleeding (hazard ratio, 3.64; p=0.004). Other risk factors were arteriosclerosis of the superior mesenteric artery and multiple SBVLs. Endoscopic hemostasis and the discontinuation of antithrombotic medications were not significantly associated with rebleeding. Patients with a high updated Charlson comorbidity index had a high risk of death of causes other than gastrointestinal rebleeding. Conclusion Gastrointestinal rebleeding is not a rare condition among patients with SBVLs. Patients with poor general health may therefore have a higher risk of rebleeding.

Small-bowel mucosal changes in Egyptian cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension using capsule endoscopy versus single-balloon enteroscopy

Background

Small-bowel mucosal abnormalities that may occur secondary to portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis have an impact on health and quality of life. In spite of the importance of these changes, little is known about the frequency and features of small-bowel changes in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Eighty cirrhotic patients with or without esophageal or gastric varices were recruited in this study as well as 60 age- and sex-matched controls. All study participants underwent capsule endoscopy. In addition, half of the patients and controls were randomized to receive single-balloon enteroscopy.

Results

The prevalence of small-bowel mucosal changes was statistically significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls; 57% versus 6.7%, respectively (p < 0.05). Cirrhotic patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy showed a significant increase in the small-bowel changes (p < 0.001). Small-bowel changes were significantly higher in patients with higher MELD and Child-Pugh scores (p < 0.001). Moreover, capsule endoscopy was more effective in the detection of small-bowel changes than single-balloon enteroscopy.

Conclusions

Mucosal changes associated with portal hypertensive enteropathy are more prevalent in cirrhotic patients, regardless of the presence or absence of gastric varices. Small-bowel mucosal changes in patients with portal hypertensive enteropathy were more common in patients who suffered from portal hypertensive gastropathy and were positively correlated with advanced chronic liver disease.

Capsule Endoscopy for Portal Hypertensive Enteropathy

Portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) is a mucosal abnormality of the small bowel that is observed in patients with portal hypertension (PH) and can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. The pathogenesis is still not completely understood. The introduction of new endoscopic methods, including capsule endoscopy (CE) or balloon-assisted enteroscopy, has increased the detection of these abnormalities. CE can also serve as a road map for deciding subsequent interventions and evaluating the treatment effect. The prevalence of PHE is reportedly 40-70% in patients with PH. Endoscopic findings can be roughly divided into vascular and nonvascular lesions such as inflammatory-like lesions. Traditionally, PHE-associated factors include large esophageal varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy or colopathy, Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B or C, a history of variceal treatment, and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. More recently, on using scoring systems, a high computed tomography or transient elastography score was reportedly PHE-related factors. However, the prevalence of PHE and its related associated factors remain controversial. The management of PHE has not yet been standardized. It should be individualized according to each patient's situation, the availability of therapy, and each institutional expertise.