Risk factors for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related cholangitis: a prospective study

Cholangitis is one of the most morbid complications of endoscopic biliary drainage and among the commonest causes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related death. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the risk factors for the development of cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a tertiary referral center.

The study involved 503 consecutive patients with naive papilla who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. We included the cholangitis occurring within 72 hours after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for all patients undergoing the procedure. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Factors including age, gender, presentation, nature of the papilla, therapeutic procedures, and the diagnosis were analyzed to predict post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis.

Median age was 61.2 +/- 14.8 years and there were 274 (54.5%) women and 229 (45.5%) men. Seventeen (3.3%) patients (9 F, 8 M) developed cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis development was most probable in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis risk was significantly higher in patients with biliary dilatation and biliary stent insertion, and without periampullary diverticula (odds ratio, OR: 4.8, 4.4, 1.2, respectively). Total procedure duration was significantly prolonged and common bile duct diameter was significantly increased in patients who had cholangitis. Five patients (3 F, 2 M; 0.9%) died because of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography complicated sepsis.

Increased common bile duct diameter, biliary dilatation, biliary stent insertion, prolonged total procedure time, and hilar cholangiocarcinoma have higher post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis risk. Moreover, the presence of periampullary diverticula was found to decrease cholangitis risk.