Assessment of safety of non-anesthesiologist-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography based on performance status in elderly patients

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for bile duct stones in patients with a performance status score of 3 or 4

BACKGROUND

As the aging population grows worldwide, the rates of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for common bile duct stones (CBDS) in older patients with a poor performance status (PS) have been increasing. However, the data on the safety and efficacy of ERCP for CBDS in patients with a PS score of 3 or 4 are lacking, with only a few studies having investigated this issue among patients with poor PS.

AIM

To examine the safety and efficacy of ERCP for CBDS in patients with a PS score of 3 or 4.

METHODS

This study utilized a retrospective multi-centered design of three institutions in Japan for 8 years to identify a total of 1343 patients with CBDS having native papillae who underwent therapeutic ERCP. As a result, 1113 patients with a PS 0-2 and 230 patients with a PS 3-4 were included. One-to-one propensity-score matching was performed to compare the safety and efficacy of ERCP for CBDS between patients with a PS 0-2 and those with a PS 3-4.

RESULTS

The overall ERCP-related complication rates in all patients and propensity score-matched patients with a PS 0-2 and 3-4 were 9.0% (100/1113) and 7.0% (16/230; P = 0.37), and 4.6% (9/196) and 6.6% (13/196; P = 0.51), respectively. In the propensity score-matched patients, complications were significantly more severe in the group with a PS 3-4 than in the group with a PS 0-2 group (P = 0.042). Risk factors for complications were indications of ERCP and absence of antibiotics in the multivariate analysis. Therapeutic success rates, including complete CBDS removal and permanent biliary stent placement, in propensity score-matched patients with a PS 0-2 and 3-4 were 97.4% (191/196) and 97.4% (191/196), respectively (P = 1.0).

CONCLUSION

ERCP for CBDS can be effectively performed in patients with a PS 3 or 4. Nevertheless, the indication for ERCP in such patients should be carefully considered with prophylactic antibiotics.

Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Performance Status 4

BACKGROUND

The risk related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) 4 is uncertain and remains a concern.

AIMS

We aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of ERCP in patients with PS4 compared to those in patients with PS0-3.

METHODS

A total of 1845 patients met the eligibility criteria for study inclusion between 2014 and 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: PS0-3 and PS4 groups. The adverse event and therapeutic success rates in each group were compared. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences between the groups.

RESULTS

The therapeutic success rate was 96% in both groups. The overall adverse event rate was 6% and 10% in the PS0-3 and PS4 groups, respectively, showing no significant difference (P = 0.272). Although the rates of pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, and cholangitis were equivalent in both groups, the pulmonary adverse event rate was significantly higher in the PS4 group (5% vs. 0.4%; P = 0.006). Severe adverse events were also significantly more frequent in the PS4 group (8% vs. 2%; P = 0.012). Multivariate analyses showed that long procedure time was a significant risk factor for adverse events in patients with PS4 (odds ratio, 10.70; 95% CI 1.30-87.70; P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

Although ERCP can be performed effectively in patients with PS4, the risk of pulmonary and severe adverse events is high. Prolonged procedures should be avoided in patients with PS4.

Efficacy and safety of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with native papillae with a performance status score of 3 or 4: A single-center retrospective study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) score of 3 or 4.

Patients and Methods: We reviewed the data of 287 patients with native papillae who underwent therapeutic ERCP for biliary disease at our hospital between October 2016 and October 2018. The patients were divided into two groups; those with an ECOG-PS score of 3 or 4 (group A; n=78) and those with an ECOG-PS score of 0–2 (group B; n=209).

Results: The rate of technical success was not significantly different between the two groups (95% versus 89%, P=0.13). Although the occurrence rate of overall adverse events (10% versus 11%, P=0.95) was not significantly different between the groups, the occurrence rates of aspiration pneumonia (3.8% versus 0%, P=0.0044) and heart failure (2.6% versus 0%, P=0.020) were significantly higher in group A.

Conclusion: The rates of technical success and overall adverse events did not significantly differ between patients with an ECOG-PS score of 3 or 4 and those with a score of 0–2; however, aspiration pneumonia and heart failure were more likely to occur among patients with an ECOG-PS score of 3 or 4.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the elderly: results of a retrospective study and a geriatricians' point of view

Background

The incidence of biliary tract pathology is growing with an age-related trend, and progresses as the population ages. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) represents the gold standard for treatment in these cases, but evidence about its safety in the elderly is still debated.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of all patients aged ≥65 undergoing ERCP between July 2013 and July 2015. Of 387 ERCP cases, 363 (~ 94%) were completed entirely. The mean age of the study population (n = 363) was 79.9 years old (range 70–95), with 190 subjects aged 70–79 and 173 older than 80. We recorded demographics, Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification score, indication for the use of the ERCP procedure, and clinical outcomes. Then, we tested all variables to identify the potential risk factors for complications associated with the procedure.

Results

The older group (those ≥80 years old) showed significantly more patients with ASA Classes III-IV than the younger one (those ≤79 years old). Interestingly, the CCI was higher in the younger group (p = 0.009). The overall complication rate was 17.3% without inter-group differences. Older age, sex, CCI and intra-ERCP procedures were not related to a higher risk of complications, and the multivariate regression did not identify any of the considered variables to be an independent risk factor for complications.

Conclusion

ERCP appears as safe in the patients aged 80 years and older, as it is in those aged 70–79 years old in our study, however, a selection bias may affect these findings. A study including a comprehensive geriatric assessment will contribute to shedding light on this issue.

The efficacy and safety of the left lateral position for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND/AIM

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is typically performed in prone position. In cases of difficulty in prone position, ERCP can be performed in left lateral position. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of left lateral position for ERCP compared with those of prone position.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between August 2015 and March 2016, a total of 62 patients with native papilla who underwent ERCP were randomly assigned to undergo the procedure in left lateral position (n = 31) or prone position (n = 31). The outcomes of procedures were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the demographic data, indications for ERCP, comorbidities, anticoagulation agents, the types and doses of sedative agents, and procedural durations. The rates of technical success and adverse events were similar (96.8 and 40%, respectively, in left lateral group and 100 and 32.3%, respectively, in prone group). The rates of unintentional pancreatic duct (PD) cannulation and the acquisition of pancreatograms in left lateral group were significantly greater than those in prone group (9/30, 30.0% vs. 3/31, 9.7%, P = 0.046; 7/30, 23.3% vs. 1/31, 3.2%, P = 0.020, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis (6/30, 20% vs. 5/31, 16.1%, P = 0.694).

CONCLUSION

The left lateral position for ERCP can be as effective and safe as prone position. Due to increased rates of unintended PD cannulation and contrast injection, the initial use of left lateral position may be limited to cases that exhibit difficulty in prone position.

How Does Aging Affect Presentation and Management of Biliary Stones?

Common bile duct (CBD) stones are common in elderly adults, but the effect of aging on the presentation of CBD stones remains to be evaluated. Recent studies have demonstrated that the clinical presentation of CBD stones may vary with age. Younger adults may present with classical biliary colic symptoms, whereas elderly adults may have no unapparent clinical features. Younger adults with CBD stones were significantly more likely to have abnormal liver function tests than those without. The sensitivity and accuracy of transabdominal ultrasound scans in screening for CBD stones increases with age. Antibiotic agents should be promptly administered to individuals with CBD stones complicated by cholangitis, but the effects of pharmacotherapy on renal function should be considered in elderly adults. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered to be first-line treatment for CBD stones, and endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST) or endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) along with ERCP is an adequate biliary drainage method in individuals with CBD stones. EPBD has a lower bleeding risk but higher post-ERCP risk of pancreatitis than EST. Longer-duration (>1 minute) EPBD may be preferred over EST because it is associated with a comparable risk of pancreatitis but a lower rate of overall complications, although recurrent cholangitis or unfavorable outcomes will increase during CBD dilation or in the presence of residual CBD stones.

Clinical efficacy of emergency endoscopy in elderly patients with acute cholangitis

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of emergency endoscopy in elderly patients with acute cholangitis (AC).

METHODS: Clinical data for 148 elderly patients with acute cholangitis who underwent emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) from March 2013 to July 2014 at Tianjin Nankai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: Of the 148 cases, 141 underwent successful emergency endoscopy, of whom 65 had stone removal in the first session, and 74 had significant relief of clinical symptoms after endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD). Two patients died. Of the 141 case who underwent successful ERCP, 7 developed bleeding, and 2 developed pancreatitis after ERCP.

CONCLUSION: Emergency endoscopy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of elderly patients with acute cholangitis. In experienced digestive endoscopy centers, emergency endoscopy can be used as a preferred treatment for elderly patients with acute cholangitis.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for elderly patients with superficial squamous esophageal neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection in elderly patients with superficial squamous esophageal neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial squamous esophageal neoplasms in elderly patients (≥65 years) compared with non-elderly patients.

METHODS

All patients with superficial squamous esophageal neoplasms receiving endoscopic submucosal dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 130 were aged 65 or older (group A), and 201 were aged younger than 65 years (group B). Therapeutic efficacy, adverse events, and follow-up data were evaluated.

RESULTS

Group A had a higher prevalence of concomitant diseases than group B (52.3% vs. 14.9%, respectively). R0 resection rate was 82.3% in group A and 84.6 % in group B (P = 0.717). The curative resection rate was 80.8% in group A and 83.6% in group B (P = 0.653). The rate of procedure-related non-cardiopulmonary adverse events was 20.8% in group A and 16.9% in group B (P = 0.377). The incidence of cardiopulmonary adverse events during or after the procedure was 6.2% in group A and 2.5% in group B (P = 0.094). No procedure-related mortality was reported in either group.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is effective and safe for treating superficial squamous esophageal neoplasms in elderly patients.