Trial of Monthly Versus Bi-weekly Endoscopic Variceal Ligation for the Prevention of Esophageal Variceal Rebleeding
Esophageal and Gastric Varices
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Esophageal and Gastric Varices
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- acute or recent bleeding from esophageal varices;
- portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis;
- age between 18 and 80 yr.
Exclusion Criteria:
- history of endoscopic, pharmacological, interventional or surgical treatment of esophageal varices;
- presence of liver failure with a serum total bilirubin concentration greater than 3 mg/dL;
- presence of hepatocellular carcinoma or other malignancy;
- an association with a cerebral vascular accident, uremia, acute coronary syndrome, or other severe illness;
- history of gastric variceal bleeding;
- encephalopathy of stage II or worse;
- failure to control initial variceal bleeding;
- death within 48 h of admission;
- refusal to participate in the trial.
Sites / Locations
- West China HospitalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
monthly EVL
bi-weekly EVL
Elective band ligation was applied after premedication with hyoscine-N-butylbromide (20 mg intramuscularly). A multiband ligator and video endoscopes were utilized. Ligation was initiated at or slightly below the bleeding point. During each treatment session, each varix was ligated with one or two elastic bands. Variceal obliteration success was when all varices disappeared or residual varices were too small to be ligated further. Once esophageal varices were obliterated, surveillance endoscopy was performed every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months to check for recurrent varices. Patients in this group will underwent endoscopic variceal ligation monthly.
Elective band ligation was applied after premedication with hyoscine-N-butylbromide (20 mg intramuscularly). A multiband ligator and video endoscopes were utilized. Ligation was initiated at or slightly below the bleeding point. During each treatment session, each varix was ligated with one or two elastic bands. Variceal obliteration success was when all varices disappeared or residual varices were too small to be ligated further. Once esophageal varices were obliterated, surveillance endoscopy was performed every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months to check for recurrent varices. Patients in this group will underwent endoscopic variceal ligation bi-weekly.