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Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy Assisted by Cyanoacrylate and Clips for Gastroesophageal Varices
Published on: June 13, 2025
Endovascular Interventions Reduce Rebleeding in Patients With Gastric Varices: An Individual Patient Data
Sagnik Biswas1, Arnav Aggarwal1, Gin-Ho Lo2
1Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition Unit, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Endovascular interventions like balloon occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are more effective than endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection (ECI) for preventing gastric variceal rebleeding in cirrhosis patients. However, BRTO may worsen ascites and TIPS can increase hepatic encephalopathy risk.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Interventional Radiology
- Clinical Trials and Meta-Analysis
Background:
- Gastric variceal (GV) bleeding in cirrhosis patients lacks a consensus on optimal secondary prophylaxis.
- Current treatment options include endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection (ECI) and endovascular interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of ECI, BRTO, and TIPS for secondary prophylaxis of GV bleeding.
- To analyze rebleeding rates, overall survival, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
Main Methods:
- Aggregate data meta-analysis (ADMA) and individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) were performed.
- RCTs and observational studies comparing ECI, BRTO, and TIPS were included.
- Propensity score matching was used for IPDMA.
Main Results:
- BRTO and TIPS significantly reduced all-cause rebleeding compared to ECI.
- BRTO was associated with increased risk of ascites; TIPS increased risk of HE.
- Treatment benefits were most pronounced in Child-Pugh Class-B cirrhosis patients.
Conclusions:
- Endovascular interventions (BRTO, TIPS) are superior to ECI for reducing GV rebleeding.
- Further large-scale studies with standardized outcomes are needed to confirm survival benefits and optimize treatment selection.
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