Risks versus benefits of flexible sigmoidoscopy after myocardial infarction: an analysis of 78 patients at three medical centers

Lifetime prevalence and correlates of colorectal cancer screening among low-income U.S. Veterans

PURPOSE

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S. While preventive healthcare services are high priority in the VHA, low-income U.S. Veterans experience adverse life circumstances that may negatively impact their access to these services. This study examined lifetime prevalence as well as demographic, socioeconomic, military-specific, and clinical correlates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among low-income U.S. Veterans ≥ 50 years of age.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data on 862 participants were analyzed from the 2021-2022 National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences study.

RESULTS

Overall, 55.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 51.3-59.3%) reported ever-receiving CRC-screening services. In a multivariable logistic regression model, never-receivers of CRC screening were twice as likely to reside outside of the Northeast, and more likely to be married (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86, 95% CI 1.02, 3.37), have BMI < 25 kg/m2 [vs. 25- < 30 kg/m2] (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.19, 2.58), or ≥ 1 chronic condition (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.06, 2.02). Never-receivers of CRC screening were less likely to be female (OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.29, 0.96), aged 65-79y [vs. ≥ 80y] (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.40, 0.92), live in 5 + member households (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.13, 0.86), disabled (OR = 0.45, 0.22, 0.92), with purchased health insurance (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.33, 0.98), or report alcohol-use disorder (OR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.02, 0.49) and/or HIV/AIDS (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.12, 0.68).

CONCLUSION

Nearly 55% of low-income U.S. Veterans reported ever screening for CRC. Variations in CRC-screening behaviors according to veteran characteristics highlight potential disparities as well as opportunities for targeted behavioral interventions.

Colonoscopy in Patients With Postmyocardial Infarction Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Nationwide Analysis

GOALS

The goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes of colonoscopy in the setting of post myocardial infarction (MI) gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in a large population-based data set.

BACKGROUND

The literature to substantiate the proposed safety of colonoscopy following an acute MI is limited.

STUDY

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2007 to 2013) was utilized to identify all adult patients (age, 18 y or above) hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ST-elevation MI and receiving left heart catheterization (STEMI-C). The outcomes of patients with concomitant diagnosis of GIB receiving endoscopic intervention with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or colonoscopy postcatheterization were compared with those who did not. Primary outcomes including mortality, length of stay, and hospital costs were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

There were 131,752 patients with post-STEMI-C GIB (5.35% of all STEMI-C patients) and same admission colonoscopy was performed in 1599 patients (1.21%). Although the prevalence of post-STEMI-C GIB increased from 4.27% in 2007 to 5.87% in 2013 (P<0.001), patients receiving colonoscopy decreased from 1.42% to 1.09% (P<0.001) over the course of the study period. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients receiving no endoscopic intervention [odds ratio, 3.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.57, 8.31] or EGD alone (OR, 2.70; 95% confidence interval: 1.12, 6.49) have higher mortality compared with those receiving colonoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Same admission colonoscopy performed for post-STEMI-C GIB was associated with lower mortality. However, despite increased incidence of GIB in these patients during the study period, a lower percentage of patients received colonoscopy. These results suggest that colonoscopy is safe but underutilized in this setting.

The Safety of Multiple Flexible Sigmoidoscopies with Mucosal Biopsies in Healthy Clinical Trial Participants

During Phase 1 pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics studies, participants may undergo multiple sigmoidoscopies, with a collection of 10-20 biopsies during each procedure. This article characterizes the safety of flexible sigmoidoscopies in clinical trial participants. We determined the number of flexible sigmoidoscopies and rectal biopsies that participants underwent and analyzed the frequency, duration, and severity of flexible sigmoidoscopy-related adverse events (AEs). During the study period, 278 participants underwent 1,004 flexible sigmoidoscopies with the collection of 15,930 rectal biopsies. The average number of procedures per participant was 3.6 (median 3; range 1-25), with an average time interval between procedures of 61.8 days (median 28 days; range 1-1,159). There were no serious AEs. Sixteen AEs were related to flexible sigmoidoscopy and occurred in 16 participants, leading to an overall 1.6% (16/1,004) AE rate per procedure and 0.1% (16/15,930) AE rate per biopsy. Of the 16 AEs, 8 (50%) involved abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding, flatulence, and bloating, with an average duration of 4.7 days (median 1 day; range 1-28). Most (14/16) AEs were categorized as Grade 1 (mild), whereas two of the AEs were Grade 2 (moderate). No participant withdrew due to procedure-related AEs. Overall, the number of AEs caused by flexible sigmoidoscopy with multiple biopsies was low and the severity was mild, suggesting that this procedure can be safely integrated into protocols requiring repeated intestinal mucosal sampling.

Chronic anemia and non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome - double jeopardy

This review outlines the priorities from cardiology and gastroenterology perspectives, resolves some of the misconceptions, and uses the evidence available to suggest strategies for optimizing management of these patients. The dual presentation of acute active gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss together with an acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS or STEMI) is outside the remit of this review but has been previously reviewed by our group. The review covers NSTEACS together with chronic or sub-acute anemia, anemia that cannot be accounted for by chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or inflammatory disorders. Identification of a potential GI etiology of anemia is important as it allows adjustment to both GI and CV investigations and treatments that can reduce the likelihood and impact of bleeding complications.

Safety of Digestive Endoscopy following Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Background. The safety of endoscopy after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is poorly characterized. We thus performed a systematic review assessing the safety of endoscopy following ACS. Methods. Searches in EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science identified articles for inclusion. Data abstraction was completed by two independent reviewers. Results. Fourteen retrospective studies yielded 1178 patients (mean 71.3 years, 59.0% male) having suffered an ACS before endoscopy. Patients underwent 1188 endoscopies primarily to investigate suspected gastrointestinal bleeding (81.2%). Overall, 810 EGDs (68.2%), 191 colonoscopies (16.1%), 100 sigmoidoscopies (8.4%), 64 PEGs (5.4%), and 22 ERCPs (1.9%) were performed 9.0 ± 5.2 days after ACS, showing principally ulcer disease (25.1%; 95% CI 22.2-28.3%) and normal findings (22.9%; 95% CI 20.1-26.0%). Overall, 108 peri- and postprocedural complications occurred (9.1%; 95% CI 7.6-10.9%), with hypotension (24.1%; 95% CI 17.0-32.9%), arrhythmias (8.1%; 95% CI 4.5-18.1%), and repeat ACS (6.5%; 95% CI 3.1-12.8%) as the most frequent. All-cause mortality was 8.1% (95% CI 6.3-10.4%), with 4 deaths attributed to endoscopy (<24 hours after ACS, 3.7% of all complications; 95% CI 1.5-9.1%). Conclusion. A significant proportion of possibly endoscopy-related negative outcomes occur following ACS. Further studies are required to better characterize indications, patient selection, and appropriate timing of endoscopy in this cohort.

Cardiac ischaemia and rhythm disturbances during elective colonoscopy

BACKGROUND

The number of colonoscopic procedures continues to rise rapidly. With widespread adoption of colonoscopy based bowel screening programmes, this rising trend is set to continue.

AIMS

This study aimed to identify whether elective colonoscopy could provoke cardiac rhythm disturbances and/or myocardial ischaemia, as evidenced by 12 lead Holter ECG recordings and troponin I (cTnI) changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were stratified into three groups based on the presence of cardiac disease or cardiovascular risk factors. They underwent real time 12 lead Holter monitoring before, during and after colonoscopy. Bloods were taken for pre- and post-procedure cTnI estimation.

RESULTS

Holter ECG recordings of the three groups showed a high incidence of new but silent ischaemic and arrhythmic ECG changes during the colonoscopy in patients with documented but stable heart disease and to a lesser extent in those patients with one or more risk factors for heart disease. Three patients had high cTnI concentrations both before and after colonoscopy. Two patients with known heart disease died within 30 days of colonoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates for the first time the occurrence of potentially clinically significant ST-T wave changes and rhythm disturbances during elective colonoscopy in patients with known heart disease and to a lesser extent in those patients with a known cardiovascular risk profile.

Safety and efficacy of ERCP after recent myocardial infarction or unstable angina

BACKGROUND

ERCP after myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina (UnA) can potentially entail significant cardiovascular risks.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the safety of ERCP after MI or UnA.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

PATIENTS

Adult patients less than 30 days after MI or UnA.

SETTING

Three hospitals from 1985 to 2010, encompassing 7600 ERCPs.

INTERVENTIONS

ERCP.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

ERCP diagnosis, therapy, efficacy, and complications.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (mean age 77.9 ± 11.4 years) underwent ERCP on average 6.9 ± 7.7 days after MI. ERCP indications were suspected choledocholithiasis/gallstone pancreatitis (n = 10); cholangitis (n = 7); obstructive jaundice with suspected pancreatic mass (n = 1); and biliary stent removal/replacement (n = 2). ERCP revealed choledocholithiasis (n = 8); previous stent (n = 2); and nonpathologic findings (n = 3). Therapies included balloon sweep (n = 11), sphincterotomy (n = 8), visible stones extracted by balloon sweep (n = 8), and biliary stent placement/replacement/removal (n = 3). Two mild complications occurred: hypotension during ERCP successfully treated with ephedrine and obstructing periampullary clot successfully removed at repeat ERCP. Eleven patients subsequently did well (mean hospital discharge 6.5 days after ERCP); 1 patient with metastatic ovarian cancer remained ventilator dependent, and another patient with multiple comorbidities had a fatal pulmonary embolus 10 days after ERCP. Six patients underwent ERCP 7.5 ± 5.2 days after UnA for suspected choledocholithiasis (n = 5) and bile duct injury (n = 1). ERCP findings included choledocholithiasis (n = 3), cystic duct leak (n = 1), ampullary stenosis (n = 1), and nonpathologic findings (n = 1). Sphincterotomy was performed in 5 patients, visible stones were extracted by balloon sweep in 3, and a biliary stent was inserted in 1. One mild complication occurred: hypotension during ERCP which was successfully treated with ephedrine. All 6 patients were discharged (mean 8.0 days after ERCP).

LIMITATIONS

Small study size; retrospective study.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that therapeutic ERCP involves acceptable risks when performed soon after MI or UnA for suspected choledocholithiasis or other therapeutic indications and may be performed in such situations when strongly indicated.

Cardiovascular considerations in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy

Gastrointestinal endoscopies are common procedures for diagnosis and treatment. Patients with various cardiovascular conditions can undergo these procedures, including those patients with acute myocardial infarction, but appropriate precautions need to be maintained, especially with procedure-induced autonomic nervous system pertubations that can affect heart rate and blood pressure. In this article, treatment recommendations are included for those patients undergoing endoscopy who are receiving anticoagulation and for those who are at risk for bacterial endocarditis.

Safety of endoscopy after myocardial infarction based on cardiovascular risk categories: a retrospective analysis of 135 patients at a tertiary referral medical center

GOALS

To establish the safety of endoscopic procedures performed in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI) based upon specific cardiac risk categories.

BACKGROUND

There are no specific guidelines that dictate when to perform endoscopy in patients after recent MI, as this population may be at increased risk for cardiopulmonary complications at the time of endoscopy.

STUDY

Retrospective analysis of data collected over 48 months on 135 patients who experienced a MI and within the next 30 days had an endoscopic procedure performed. Data on chronology of complications and certain cardiac risk categories were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

There was early termination of endoscopic procedures for a major cardiopulmonary complication in 2 of 135 patients (1.5%). The complications occurred on hospital day 0 postMI. Performance of endoscopic procedures on the day of the MI was found to be a risk factor for a procedure-related complication (P=0.02). ST segment elevation myocardial infarction was seen in 19 patients (16.0%), severely depressed ejection fraction in 30 patients (22.2%), and troponin-I peak greater than 1.6 ng/mL in 96 patients (71.0%). No statistically significant increased risk of endoscopy was found in these subsets of patients (P=0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic procedures can be safely performed early post-MI without imparting a significant cardiopulmonary risk. Timing of endoscopy increases risk of complications, but evidence of significant recent cardiac damage as demonstrated by ST segment elevation, depressed left ventricular ejection fraction, or troponin-I peak greater than 1.6 ng/mL does not increase risk of cardiopulmonary complication.

Characterization of ischemic colitis associated with myocardial infarction: an analysis of 23 patients

PURPOSE

The study characterizes the clinical presentation of ischemic colitis (IC) associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and helps determine whether the primary mechanism for this association is thrombus, embolus, or localized nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) associated with systemic hypotension.

METHODS

We compared 23 study patients presenting with IC occurring simultaneously with or within 3 days after MI who were admitted to 5 medical centers versus (1) 32 patients with IC without MI (IC-controls) or (2) 32 patients with MI without IC (MI-controls).

RESULTS

Of 17,500 patients admitted to the study sites with MI, 23 (0.13%) had IC. Study patients had a high in-hospital mortality of 39%. An Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score greater than 15 was a significant predictor of mortality in these patients (P<.04). Compared with the IC-controls, study patients had a significantly lower mean arterial pressure (MAP) (76.0 +/- 17.1 mm Hg vs 98.3 +/- 18.6 mm Hg, P<.0001) and a significantly higher rate of hypotension (57% vs 9%, odds ratio [OR] = 12.6, confidence interval [CI]: 3.10-49.7, P<.001). The 2 groups, however, had a similar mean number of risk factors for thromboembolism per patient. Study patients had more severe illness than IC-controls, as demonstrated by mean APACHE II scores (19.0 +/- 5.5 vs 10.4 +/- 4.8, P<.0001). Study patients had a significantly higher incidence of complications, including respiratory failure (57% vs 13%, P=.001), altered mental status (48% vs 13%, P<.01), and renal insufficiency or failure (61% vs 28%, P<.04). Study patients had a significantly lower minimum hematocrit. Study patients had a significantly higher rate of prolonged hospitalization (>30 days) or in-hospital death (74% vs 19%, OR = 12.3, CI: 3.47-43.5, P<.0001). Compared with MI-control patients, study patients had a significantly lower MAP, significantly higher rate of hypotension, much higher mean APACHE II score, much higher incidence of complications, and significantly worse hospital outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with both IC and MI present as a clinically distinct group from patients with either IC alone or MI alone. They have significantly more complications and worse in-hospital prognoses. They present with a dramatically lower MAP and a higher frequency of hypotension. This last finding suggests that the most common and most important mechanism for IC with MI may be hypotension from cardiogenic shock. Hypotension is the cardinal risk factor for generalized NOMI with acute mesenteric ischemia and may be an important risk factor for localized NOMI with IC. An APACHE II score greater than 15 may be a predictor of mortality from IC after MI.

Safety and efficacy of nasogastric intubation for gastrointestinal bleeding after myocardial infarction: an analysis of 125 patients at two tertiary cardiac referral hospitals

Our purpose was to analyze risks versus benefits of nasogastric (NG) intubation for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding performed soon after myocardial infarction (MI). While NG intubation and aspiration is relatively safe, clinically beneficial, and routinely performed in the general population for recent GI bleeding, its safety after MI is unstudied and unknown. In addition to the usual complications of NG tubes, patients status post-MI may be particularly susceptible to myocardial ischemia or cardiac arrhythmias from anxiety or discomfort during intubation. We studied NG intubation within 30 days of MI in 125 patients at two hospitals from 1986 through 2001. Indications for NG intubation included melena in 55 patients; fecal occult blood with an acute hematocrit decline, severe anemia, or sudden hypotension in 37; hematemesis in 18; bright red blood per rectum in 8; and dark red blood per rectum in 7. The intubation was performed on average 5.3 +/- 7.2 (SD) days after MI. NG aspiration revealed bright red blood in 38 patients, "coffee grounds"-appearing blood in 45, and clear (or bilious) fluid in 42. Among 114 of the patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), EGD revealed the cause of bleeding in 79 (95%) of 83 patients with a grossly bloody NG aspirate versus 12 (39%) of 31 patients with a clear aspirate (P < 0.0001, OR = 31.3, OR CI = 9.4-103.1). Among 85 patients undergoing EGD within 16 hr of NG intubation, stigmata of recent hemorrhage were present in 28 (42%) of 66 with a bloody NG aspirate versus 3 (16%) of 19 with a clear aspirate (P = 0.06, OR = 3.93). Among 35 patients undergoing lower GI endoscopy, lower endoscopy revealed the cause of bleeding in 14 (56%) of 25 patients with a clear NG aspirate versus 1 (10%) of 10 patients with a grossly bloody aspirate (P < 0.04, OR = 11.46, OR CI = 1.55-78.3). The two NG tube complications (epistaxis during intubation and gastric erosions from NG suctioning) were neither cardiac nor major (requiring blood transfusions). This study suggests that short-term NG intubation is relatively safe and may be beneficial and indicated for acute GI bleeding after recent MI. Aside from improving visualization at EGD, the potential benefits include providing a rational basis for the timing of endoscopy (urgent versus semielective), for prioritizing the order of endoscopy (EGD versus colonoscopy), and for avoiding or deferring endoscopy in low-yield situations (e.g., colonoscopy when the NG aspirate is bloody). These benefits may be particularly relevant in patients after recent MI due to their increased endoscopic risks.

Safety and efficacy of colonoscopy after myocardial infarction: an analysis of 100 study patients and 100 control patients at two tertiary cardiac referral hospitals

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to analyze the risks vs. the benefits of colonoscopy soon after myocardial infarction.

METHODS

A total of 100 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy within 30 days after myocardial infarction at two large tertiary cardiac referral hospitals were studied. The study group was compared with 100 control patients with neither myocardial infarction nor unstable angina during the preceding 6 months (matched for age, colonoscopy indication, and colonoscopist) who underwent colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Indications for colonoscopy were bleeding per rectum (37 patients), fecal occult blood (36 patients, hematocrit < 30% in 25), iron deficiency anemia (11 patients, hematocrit < 25% in 9), and other (16 patients). Colonoscopy was performed at a mean of 15.5 (8.3) days after myocardial infarction. Two patients underwent colonoscopic colonic decompression. Colonoscopy was diagnostic in 46 (47%) of the study patients vs. 41% of the control patients ( p = 0.47, chi-square test). The relative rate of ischemic colitis was significantly higher in study vs. control patients (14 vs. 2, p < 0.005). Other diagnoses in study patients were the following: colon cancer (8), bleeding internal hemorrhoids (5), pseudomembranous colitis (5), high-risk adenomatous polyp (large or villous histopathology) (4), and other (10). Urgent colonoscopy was diagnostic in 63% of cases. Twenty-three patients had a major therapeutic benefit consequent to colonoscopy, including colon cancer surgery in 5. Study patients were significantly sicker than control patients (APACHE II score 9.9 [4.3] vs. 7.4 [2.8], p < 0.0001) and suffered significantly more colonoscopic complications compared with control patients (9 vs. 1; OR 5.2: 95% CI [1.2, 9.8], p < 0.03). Minor complications without clinical sequelae occurred in 8 study patients (asymptomatic hypotension or bradycardia). One major complication occurred in this group that was probably not procedure related.

CONCLUSIONS

Colonoscopy in patients with a recent myocardial infarction is associated with a higher rate of minor, transient, and primarily cardiovascular complications compared with control patients but is relatively infrequently associated with major complications. Colonoscopy is beneficial and indicated after myocardial infarction, despite a higher risk, in certain circumstances. The relative frequency of ischemic colitis was relatively high in study patients.