Efficacy of Over-The-Scope Clip Method as a Novel Hemostatic Therapy for Colonic Diverticular Bleeding

Advances in endoscopic management of colonic diverticular bleeding

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review is focused on diagnostic and management strategies for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). It aims to present the current state of the field, highlighting the available techniques, and emphasizing findings that influence the choice of therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent guidelines recommend nonurgent colonoscopy (>24 h) for CDB. However, factors such as a shock index ≥1, which may warrant an urgent colonoscopy, remain under investigation.The standard approach to detecting the source of CDB requires a water-jet scope equipped with a cap. Innovative diagnostic techniques, such as the long-cap and tapered-cap, have proven effective in identifying stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH). Furthermore, the water or gel immersion methods may aid in managing massive hemorrhage by improving the visualization and stabilization of the bleeding site for subsequent intervention. Innovations in endoscopic hemostasis have significantly improved the management of CDB. New therapeutic methods such as endoscopic band ligation and direct clipping have substantially diminished the incidence of recurrent bleeding. Recent reports also have demonstrated the efficacy of cutting-edge techniques such as over-the-scope clips, which have significantly improved outcomes in complex cases that have historically necessitated surgical intervention.

SUMMARY

Currently available endoscopic diagnostic and hemostatic methods for CDB have evolved with improved outcomes. Further research is necessary to refine the criteria for urgent colonoscopy and to confirm the effectiveness of new endoscopic hemostasis techniques.

Colonic diverticular bleeding: An update on pathogenesis and management

Colonic diverticular bleeding is the most common cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, which can be life-threatening and frequently recurrent. In recent years, the prevalence of diverticulosis has increased in developed countries, with a documented incidence of 50% in patients older than 60 years. Based on the evidence, the use of anticoagulants and/or antiplatelets in the elderly population has resulted in an increased incidence of acute diverticular bleeding. According to the literature, about 50% of patients with diverticular bleeding require a blood transfusion, and 18% - 53% need emergency surgery. Although endoscopic identification of the culprit diverticula and appropriate intervention is a challenge, the newer treatment modality, over-the-scope clip method (OTSC) has been demonstrated to be an effective endoscopic hemostatic method in severe diverticular bleeding, especially in cases of rebleeding after first-line conventional endoscopic procedures. In this review, we summarize the pathophysiology of colonic diverticulosis and diverticular bleeding, recent evidence in its management, and existing theories on various preventive strategies to control diverticular bleeding. We also discuss the efficacy and treatment outcome of the OTSC technique in controlling diverticular bleeding.

Management of Patients With Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: An Updated ACG Guideline

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common reason for hospitalization in the United States and is associated with significant utilization of hospital resources, as well as considerable morbidity and mortality. These revised guidelines implement the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology to propose recommendations for the use of risk stratification tools, thresholds for red blood cell transfusion, reversal agents for patients on anticoagulants, diagnostic testing including colonoscopy and computed tomography angiography (CTA), endoscopic therapeutic options, and management of antithrombotic medications after hospital discharge. Important changes since the previous iteration of this guideline include recommendations for the use of risk stratification tools to identify patients with LGIB at low risk of a hospital-based intervention, the role for reversal agents in patients with life-threatening LGIB on vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants, the increasing role for CTA in patients with severe LGIB, and the management of patients who have a positive CTA. We recommend that most patients requiring inpatient colonoscopy undergo a nonurgent colonoscopy because performing an urgent colonoscopy within 24 hours of presentation has not been shown to improve important clinical outcomes such as rebleeding. Finally, we provide updated recommendations regarding resumption of antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications after cessation of LGIB.

Hemostasis of a bleeding inverted colonic diverticulum

The authors report a case of a 62-year-old male presenting to the emergency department with hematochezia. Urgent colonoscopy revealed numerous diverticula in the sigmoid colon, two of them inverted. Oozing bleeding from a visible vessel was identified on the top of the most distal inverted diverticulum. An over-the-scope clip was released after suction into the transparent cap and successful hemostasis was achieved.

Efficacy of Combination Therapy with Epinephrine Local Injection and Hemostatic Clips on Active Diverticular Bleeding

Epinephrine local injection is a hemostatic procedure used in active diverticular bleeding that elicits vasoconstriction and tamponade effects. We compared the additional benefit of combination therapy with HSE-C (hypertonic saline epinephrine injection with clipping) to clipping monotherapy. Retrospective data on diverticular bleeding between 2011 and 2016 was reviewed. Those with an active bleeding source confirmed by colonoscopy (excluding non-bleeding vessels and adherent clots) who received either HSE-C or clipping were evaluated. Endpoints were rates of successful primary hemostasis, recurrent bleeding, and surgical intervention during hospitalization. A total of 320 patients with diverticular bleeding were evaluated, on which either HSE-C (n = 35) or clipping monotherapy (n = 18) was performed. Rates of successful primary hemostasis (91.4% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.048) and direct placement of endoclips (60.0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.004) were significantly higher in the HSE-C group. Although not statistically significant, the HSE-C group had a higher rate of early rebleeding (18.8% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.653), while no difference was seen in the number of patients requiring surgery (11.4% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.651). HSE-C is associated with a higher rate of successful primary hemostasis for severe active diverticular bleeding but has no significant difference in reducing early recurrent bleeding or the number of patients requiring surgery, suggesting that hemostatic effects may be temporary.