Background: Acrylate glue injection is seldom performed in patients with bleeding oesophageal varices.
Aim: To assess efficacy and safety of acrylate glue injection in patients with bleeding oesophageal varices, as well as the impact of this technique on subsequent variceal ligation.
Methods: Prospective study on 133 consecutive cirrhotic patients treated by intravariceal injection of undiluted N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate into the bleeding varix. Outcome measures were initial haemostasis, recurrent bleeding, complications and mortality at 6 weeks.
Results: 52 patients were actively bleeding at endoscopy and 81 showed stigmata of recent haemorrhage. Initial haemostasis was achieved in 49/52 active bleeders (94.2% [95% CI 85.1-98.5]). Overall, early recurrent bleeding occurred in 7 patients (5.2% [95% CI 2.3-10.1]). No major procedure-related complication was recorded. At 6 weeks, death occurred in 11 patients, with an overall bleeding-related mortality of 8.2% [95% CI 5.8-15.3]. Mortality was higher in active (15.4% [95% CI 6.9-28.1]) than non-active bleeders (3.7% [95% CI 0.8-10.4], OR 4.7 [95% CI 1.05-28.7], p=0.02). Of those surviving the first bleeding episode, 112 patients subsequently underwent ligation. No technical difficulties were encountered in performing the banding procedure which was successfully completed in all cases.
Conclusions: Emergency injection of acrylate glue is safe and effective for the treatment of acute bleeding oesophageal varices and does not hamper subsequent variceal ligation.