Rates of recurrent variceal bleeding are low with modern esophageal banding strategies: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background. Variceal bleeding has a high rate of mortality and recurrence. Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) is the established standard of care for secondary prevention of variceal bleeding. Objective. To determine the long-term re-bleeding rate of an EBL protocol similar to current society guidelines. Design. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center of all patients with a history of a variceal bleed who underwent an aggressive band ligation protocol. Interventions. At the time of sentinel bleed, all varices, regardless of size, were ligated. EBL was then repeated every 2 weeks until stabilization, and all visible varices were ligated. The interval between banding sessions then increased. Main outcome measurements. The incidence of re-bleeding was calculated as the time between clinical stabilization after the sentinel event until data censoring, which occurred at time of re-bleed, death, transplant or loss-to-follow up. Gastric variceal bleeding was a secondary endpoint. Results. N = 176 patients were treated with aggressive EBL, and followed for a median of 16 months (range, 3 months – 6.9 years). The 6 month incidence of re-bleeding was 2.3%, the 12 month incidence was 3.4%, and the 2 year incidence was 4.6%. Overall, aggressive EBL was well-tolerated. One patient died during follow-up secondary to a gastric variceal bleed. Conclusions. Aggressive EBL yields a low rate of re-bleeding when compared to standard practice. Secondary prophylaxis with aggressive EBL should be a consideration for patients following a sentinel bleeding event.

Key Words:

• band ligation
• secondary prophylaxis
• variceal bleeding

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Hardy Helburn for his technical expertise and help designing figures. Funding: This study was unfunded.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.