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No increased bleeding risk in endoscopic variceal ligation linked to oral anticoagulation

Oral anticoagulation did not increase the risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with portal vein thrombosis treated with endoscopic variceal ligation, according to new data presented Thursday at the International Liver Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Researchers analyzed bleeding episodes among consecutive patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) with at least one session of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) during 9 years.

“Our main objective was to assess the risk and the severity of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients treated by EVL while patients are on oral anticoagulants,” the investigators wrote.

Researchers placed 30 anticoagulated patients and 13 nonanticoagulated patients in a “PVT group” and 43 nonanticoagulated patients in a “cirrhosis group.” They analyzed the three groups based on number of hospitalizations, days in ICU, prevalence of hemorrhagic shock and red blood cell transfusions, finding no differences among the groups. In addition, the mean time of eradication was similar among all three groups.

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Christol, C. Abstact #659. Presented at: The International Liver Congress, April 18-22, Barcelona, Spain