Gastrodoudenal Embolization: Indications, Technical Pearls, and Outcomes

Risk factors for rebleeding and mortality following prophylactic transarterial embolization for patients with high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding: a single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

To investigate factors associated with risk for rebleeding and 30-day mortality following prophylactic transarterial embolization in patients with high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records and included all patients who had undergone prophylactic embolization of the gastroduodenal artery at Rigshospitalet, Denmark, following an endoscopy-verified and treated peptic Sulcer bleeding, from 2016 to 2021. Data were collected from electronic health records and imaging from the embolization procedures. Primary outcomes were rebleeding and 30-day mortality. We performed logistical regression analyses for both outcomes with possible risk factors. Risk factors included: active bleeding; visible hemoclips; Rockall-score; anatomical variants; standardized embolization procedure; and number of endoscopies prior to embolization.

RESULTS

We included 176 patients. Rebleeding occurred in 25% following embolization and 30-day mortality was 15%. Not undergoing a standardized embolization procedure increased the odds of both rebleeding (odds ratio 3.029, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.395-6.579) and 30-day overall mortality by 3.262 (1.252-8.497). More than one endoscopy was associated with increased odds of rebleeding (odds ratio 2.369, 95% CI 1.088-5.158). High Rockall-score increased the odds of 30-day mortality (odds ratio 2.587, 95% CI 1.243-5.386). Active bleeding, visible hemoclips, and anatomical variants did not affect risk of rebleeding or 30-day mortality. Reasons for deviation from standard embolization procedure were anatomical variations, targeted treatment without embolizing the gastroduodenal artery, and technical failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Deviation from the standard embolization procedure increased the risk of rebleeding and 30-day mortality, more than one endoscopy prior to embolization was associated with higher odds of rebleeding, and a high Rockall-score increased the risk of 30-day mortality. We suggest that patients with these risk factors are monitored closely following embolization. Early detection of rebleeding may allow for proper and early re-intervention.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous coil and thrombin embolization of a left gastric artery pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysms are a commonly encountered pathology, though pseudoaneurysms of the visceral arteries are a less frequent, but potentially deadly entity. Transarterial embolization is the typical treatment of visceral pseudoaneurysms, but success is dependent on anatomy that is conducive to selecting the supplying vessel. Abdominal ultrasound is a viable method to effectively treat visceral pseudoaneurysms when transarterial embolization is not possible. It is also an excellent example of the growing utilization of ultrasound guidance in various interventional radiologic procedures. The usefulness of ultrasound is demonstrated in this case report, where a left gastric artery pseudoaneurysm was embolized through ultrasound guidance.

An unusual case of severe gastrointestinal bleeding

We present the case of a 58-year-old female with a history of a bleeding duodenal peptic ulcer. Endoscopic hemostasis was unsuccessful; therefore, a transcatheter arterial embolization of a culprit vessel was performed. She was admitted to the hospital two months later because of obstruction of the common bile duct with cholangitis. Attempts to endoscopically place a biliary stent failed. The treating medical team opted for a surgical choledocho-jejunostomy. After 20 months, she presented with a melena and a severe anemia. Diagnostic work-up revealed portal vein thrombosis with portal cavernoma and bleeding choledocho-jejunostomy varices. The case presents and discusses rare complications of duodenal ulcer disease, as well as possible causes and treatment options.

Endovascular treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery as a complication of chronic pancreatitis: a case report

A pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is a rare but life-threatening clinical entity. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of great clinical importance. We herein present an unusual case of a pseudoaneurysm of the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery that developed as a complication of chronic pancreatitis. It was detected in a timely manner and successfully treated with minimally invasive endovascular therapy.

Use of Endovascular Coiling to Stop Gastric Ulcer Bleeding in a Patient With Extensive Risk Factors

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) can lead to life-threatening bleeding. Endoscopy is a primary intervention used to locate the site of bleeding and maintain hemostasis. When considering multiple risk factors to operative intervention or failed initial endoscopic procedure in patients, the preferred treatment for acute gastrointestinal bleeding remains endovascular coiling to embolize the culprit's vessel. We report a case of a 57-year-old female who presents with melena secondary to gastric ulcer not amenable to endoscopic interventions. Various embolization techniques are available demanding clinicians' attention towards their role in managing ulcer bleeds and their impact on the controlling bleeds.

Embolization for acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder

Gastrointestinal manifestations of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (GI-PTLD) encompasses a spectrum of mucosal inflammation and ulceration that can present as severe acute gastrointestinal bleed. This case report describes a case of GI-PTLD in a 19-year-old female status postcardiac transplant. This patient presented with extensive gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to PTLD involving the duodenum. The patient was treated with extensive embolization of the gastroduodenal artery and the pancreaticoduodenal arcades. Embolization was used to mitigate gastrointestinal bleeding, thus preventing the need for surgical resection and extensive reconstruction. This case report demonstrates the utility of embolization as potential therapeutic option in the setting of GI-PTLD in addition to medical and endoscopic therapy.

Endoscopic hemostasis followed by preventive transarterial embolization in high-risk patients with bleeding peptic ulcer: 5-year experience

Background

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) due to peptic ulcer disease is one of the leading causes of death in patients with non-variceal bleeding, resulting in up to 10% mortality rate, and the patient group at high risk of rebleeding (Forrest IA, IB, and IIA) often requires additional therapy after endoscopic hemostasis. Preventive transarterial embolization (P-TAE) after endoscopic hemostasis was introduced in our institution in 2014. The aim of the study is an assessment of the intermediate results of P-TAE following primary endoscopic hemostasis in patients with serious comorbid conditions and high risk of rebleeding.

Methods

During the period from 2014 to 2018, a total of 399 patients referred to our institution with a bleeding peptic ulcer, classified as type Forrest IA, IB, or IIA with the Rockall score ≥ 5, after endoscopic hemostasis was prospectively included in two groups—P-TAE group and control group, where endoscopy alone (EA) was performed. The P-TAE patients underwent flow-reducing left gastric artery or gastroduodenal artery embolization according to the ulcer type. The rebleeding rate, complications, frequency of surgical interventions, transfused packed red blood cells (PRBC), amount of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and mortality rate were analyzed.

Results

From 738 patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer, 399 were at high risk for rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis. From this cohort, 58 patients underwent P-TAE, and 341 were allocated to the EA. A significantly lower rebleeding rate was observed in the P-TAE group, 3.4% vs. 16.2% in the EA group; p = 0.005. The need for surgical intervention reached 10.3% vs. 20.6% in the P-TAE and EA groups accordingly; p = 0.065. Patients that underwent P-TAE required less FFP, 1.3 unit vs. 2.6 units in EA; p = 0.0001. The mortality rate was similar in groups with a tendency to decrease in the P-TAE group, 5.7% vs. 8.5% in EA; p = 0.417.

Conclusion

P-TAE is a feasible and safe procedure, and it may reduce the rebleeding rate and the need for surgical intervention in patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer when the rebleeding risk remains high after primary endoscopic hemostasis.