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Resumen La pancreatitis cronica se asocia a calidad de vida deteriorada, elevada incidencia de comorbilidades, complicaciones graves y mortalidad. Los costes sanitarios son enormes. Algunas sociedades medicas han elaborado guias clinicas basadas en evidencia cientifica, pero el nivel de evidencia para cada aspecto de la enfermedad suele ser bajo y, consecuentemente, las recomendaciones tienden a ser vagas o debiles. En los presentes documentos de posicionamiento de la Societat Catalana de Digestologia y la Societat Catalana de Pancrees hemos buscado redactar declaraciones bien definidas orientadas al clinico, basadas en revisiones actualizadas de la literatura y acuerdos de expertos. El objetivo es proponer el uso de terminologia comun y circuitos diagnostico/terapeuticos racionales basados en el conocimiento actual. Para este fin se revisaron 51 secciones relacionadas con pancreatitis cronica por 21 expertos de 6 especialidades diferentes para generar finalmente 88 declaraciones que buscan armonizar conceptos y formular recomendaciones precisas. La parte 2 de esta serie de documentos discute temas sobre tratamiento y seguimiento. La aproximacion terapeutica debe incluir la evaluacion de factores etiologicos, manifestaciones clinicas y complicaciones. La complejidad de estos pacientes requiere un estudio detallado individualizado en comites multidisciplinares donde todas las opciones (conservadoras, endoscopicas, de radiologia intervencionista y quirurgicas) sean sopesadas. Deberian constituirse unidades especializadas de pancreatologia. Las indicaciones quirurgicas son dolor refractario, complicaciones locales y sospecha de neoplasia. El tratamiento enzimatico esta indicado si existe evidencia de insuficiencia exocrina o tras cirugia pancreatica. La respuesta debe evaluarse mediante parametros nutricionales y sintomas. Se debe planificar un programa de seguimiento para cada paciente.

Resumen Introduccion En un estudio previo demostramos que un pequeno programa de formacion mejoraba los indicadores de calidad de la esofagogastroduodenoscopia (EGD) que llegaban a los estandares recomendados. Sin embargo, desconocemos el efecto de esta formacion a largo plazo. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar la calidad de las EGD despues de 3 anos de haber realizado un programa de mejora. Material y metodos Estudio comparativo de 2 cohortes: EGD posteriores a un programa de formacion realizado en 2016 (grupo A) y EGD en enero-marzo de 2019 (grupo B). El grupo B se dividio en 2 subgrupos: endoscopistas que habian participado en el programa de formacion previo (B1) y los que no (B2). Se utilizaron los indicadores de calidad intraprocedimiento recomendados por la ASGE-ACG. Resultados Se analizaron un total de 1.236 EGD, 600 en el grupo A y 636 en el B (439 subgrupo B1 y 197 subgrupo B2). El numero de exploraciones completas fue inferior en el grupo B (566 [94,3%] vs. 551 [86,6%]; p Conclusiones La mejora observada en 2016 tras un programa de formacion no perdura a los 3 anos. Es necesario hacer programas de formacion continuados para mantener la calidad de la EGD por encima de los estandares recomendados.

Resumen Objetivo Conocer el estado actual de la ultrasonografia endoscopica (USE) en Espana. Metodos Analisis descriptivo a partir de una encuesta nacional con 11 preguntas: 10 relativas a la tecnica y una a la formacion y experiencia de los ecoendoscopistas. Resultados Contestaron 60 endoscopistas correspondientes a 48 de los 97 (49,5%) hospitales que realizan USE en Espana. Se contabilizaron en un ano 28.678 exploraciones (20.311 diagnosticas, 7.446 con puncion y 921 terapeuticas). Un 64% de los hospitales realiza entre 300 y 999 pruebas por ano. Todos los centros disponen de ecoendoscopio radial y sectorial, con una mediana de 2 por hospital (2-8). La aguja de citologia que mas se usa es la de 22 gauges (98%) y de histologia la Procore (72%). El estudio del pancreas y la via biliar es la indicacion mas frecuente de USE diagnostica (60%), seguido de la estadificacion de neoplasias del tubo digestivo (20%). El 72% de los hospitales dispone de un citopatologo en la sala y la sedacion es administrada a partes iguales por los endoscopistas y anestesistas. En cuanto a la experiencia, el 45% de los ecoendoscopistas realizan menos de 300 exploraciones anuales y la mediana de tiempo de formacion es de 6 meses (0,5-36). Conclusiones La USE esta adecuadamente implementada en Espana y se dispone de buen equipamiento. Sin embargo, es necesario establecer un programa estandarizado de formacion en USE, ya que la de muchos ecoendoscopistas podria ser insuficiente segun los estandares establecidos por las Sociedades Cientificas.

Background & Aims Guidelines recommend routine antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic cysts, but there is conflicting evidence for its necessity. We investigated whether performing the procedure without antimicrobial prophylaxis increases the incidence of infection. Methods We performed a multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial to compare prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin vs placebo in patients with a pancreatic cyst requiring EUS-FNA at multiple centers in Spain. From September 2014 to June 2018, patients were randomly assigned to groups that received the prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin (n = 112) or saline solution (n = 114, placebo). We recorded patients' demographic data, lesion characteristics, and procedure data and followed patients for 21 days. A total of 205 patients completed the trial (90.7%), receiving ciprofloxacin or the control, with no statistically significant differences in demographics, baseline data, or procedure characteristics between groups. The primary outcome was FNA-related infection. Secondary outcomes were incidence of fever, procedure complications, and medication-related adverse events. Results The only case of FNA-related infection (0.44%) occurred in a patient in the placebo group (0.87%); this patient developed acute pancreatitis and bacteremia after the procedure. Prevention of infection was not inferior in the control group; the difference between proportions was 0.87% (95% confidence interval, –0.84% to 2.59%). There were no differences between groups in fever (2 patients in each group: 1.78% vs 1.76%; P = 1.00) or other adverse events. Conclusions In a randomized trial of patients undergoing EUS-FNA for pancreatic cyst evaluation, we found the risk of infection to be low. The incidence of infections did not differ significantly with vs without ciprofloxacin prophylaxis. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT02261896).

Resumen Introduccion El registro y la medicion de los indicadores de calidad suponen una oportunidad de mejora. Sin embargo, no existen experiencias previas en nuestro medio sobre su cumplimiento en la esofagogastroduodenoscopia (EGD). Objetivo Analizar el cumplimiento de los criterios de calidad de las EGD y evaluar la mejora tras la realizacion de un programa de formacion. Pacientes y metodos Estudio comparativo de 2 cohortes: una, retrospectiva (grupo control) y otra, prospectiva (grupo intervencion), antes y despues de un programa de formacion que consistio en una sesion informativa y la mejora del programa de elaboracion de informes. Se utilizaron los indicadores de calidad propuestos por la American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy y el American College of Gastroenterology. Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 1.200 EGD de forma secuencial (600 en cada grupo). Tras el programa de formacion se observo una mejoria significativa en los siguientes indicadores: indicacion documentada (93 vs. 99,8%; p Conclusion Un programa de formacion muy sencillo mejora los indicadores de calidad de la EGD, alcanzando la mayoria los estandares recomendados por la American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy y el American College of Gastroenterology.

Resumen Introduccion Los polipos gastricos son lesiones habitualmente asintomaticas y constituyen un hallazgo durante la realizacion de una endoscopia. Objetivo Estudiar la frecuencia de los diferentes tipos de polipos gastricos en nuestro medio y su posible asociacion con otros factores. Pacientes y metodos Estudio retrospectivo de las gastroscopias realizadas durante 10 anos en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se recogieron datos demograficos, antecedentes patologicos, indicacion de la gastroscopia y caracteristicas morfologicas e histologicas de los polipos. Resultados Se incluyeron 41.253 gastroscopias, identificandose 827 (2%) con polipos gastricos correspondientes a 709 pacientes. La edad media fue 65,6 anos y un 62% fueron mujeres. El 53,9% tenian multiples polipos. La localizacion mas frecuente fue fundus y la mayoria fueron menores de 1 cm (83,3%). Se obtuvo muestra para anatomia patologica en 607 pacientes, siendo los mas frecuentes los polipos hiperplasicos (42,8%), seguidos de los polipos de glandula fundica (37,7%). Los factores que se asociaron de forma independiente a los polipos hiperplasicos fueron la edad y el ser polipo unico, de tamano ≥ 6 mm y localizacion no fundica. Contrariamente, los de glandula fundica se asociaron a la indicacion por reflujo y el ser multiples, Conclusiones Los polipos de glandula fundica e hiperplasicos son los mas frecuentes en nuestro medio, y tienen rasgos contrarios que pueden orientar al diagnostico histologico. En el caso de polipos unicos es recomendable la toma de biopsias para descartar el diagnostico de adenoma.

Background and Aims: The benefit of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) on the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) has never been evaluated in a randomized study. This trial aimed to test the hypothesis that in solid pancreatic lesions (SPLs), diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNB without ROSE was not inferior to that of EUS-FNB with ROSE. Methods: A noninferiority study (noninferiority margin, 5%) was conducted at 14 centers in 8 countries. Patients with SPLs requiring tissue sampling were randomly assigned (1:1) to undergo EUS-FNB with or without ROSE using new-generation FNB needles. The touch-imprint cytology technique was used to perform ROSE. The primary endpoint was diagnostic accuracy, and secondary endpoints were safety, tissue core procurement, specimen quality, and sampling procedural time. Results: Eight hundred patients were randomized over an 18-month period, and 771 were analyzed (385 with ROSE and 386 without). Comparable diagnostic accuracies were obtained in both arms (96.4% with ROSE and 97.4% without ROSE, P = .396). Noninferiority of EUS-FNB without ROSE was confirmed with an absolute risk difference of 1.0% (1-sided 90% confidence interval, –1.1% to 3.1%; noninferiority P < .001). Safety and sample quality of histologic specimens were similar in both groups. A significantly higher tissue core rate was obtained by EUS-FNB without ROSE (70.7% vs. 78.0%, P = .021), with a significantly shorter mean sampling procedural time (17.9 ± 8.8 vs 11.7 ± 6.0 minutes, P < .0001). Conclusions: EUS-FNB demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in evaluating SPLs independently on execution of ROSE. When new-generation FNB needles are used, ROSE should not be routinely recommended. (ClinicalTrial.gov number NCT03322592.)

Laparoscopic resection is considered the treatment of choice for gastric subepithelial tumors. Occasionally, it is necessary to perform an intraoperative gastroscopy to localize the lesion. There are no data in the literature addressing the factors that can predict when a combined laparoscopic-endoscopic approach will be needed. A retrospective cohort study using a prospectively collected database was conducted. From January 2005 to December 2013, all the patients undergoing a laparoscopic gastric resection for subepithelial tumors irresectable by endoscopy were reviewed. Potential predictive factors for the need of an intraoperative endoscopy were analyzed. Thirty-eight consecutive patients (22 men and 16 women) with a mean age of 67 (41–86) years underwent laparoscopic gastric resection for subepithelial tumors. Fourteen (36.8 %) patients required intraoperative endoscopic assessment. The only significant factors related to the need of endoscopic assessment during surgery were tumor growth pattern (P = 0.002) and size (P = 0.001). An accurate description of tumor growth pattern and size by EUS is recommended in the preoperative assessment of gastric subepithelial tumors. Small tumors (≤18 mm) with an intraluminal growth may need a combined endoscopic-assisted laparoscopic management.

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) is increasing. AP is one of the gastrointestinal diseases that most frequently requires hospital admission in affected individuals. In the last few years, considerable scientific evidence has led to substantial changes in the medical and surgical treatment of this disease. New knowledge of the physiopathology of AP indicates that its severity is influenced by its systemic effects (organ failure), especially if the disease is persistent, and also by local complications (fluid collections or necrosis), especially if these become infected. Treatment should be personalized and depends on the patient's clinical status, the location of the necrosis, and disease stage.

Background/Objective To assess the relationship between the presence of ascites detected by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent a EUS for preoperative staging of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1998 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of PC was confirmed by histopathology or peritoneal fluid cytology. The main outcome of the study was the relationship of ascites at EUS and PC in patients with pancreatic cancer. Secondarily, to evaluate the relationship between this finding and survival as well as the development of PC during follow-up. Results A total of 136 patients were included: 30 patients with local unresectable tumor or metastatic disease and 106 potentially-resectable candidates based on CT staging. EUS showed ascites in 27 (20%) patients, of whom 8 (29.6%) had PC. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of ascites by EUS in the detection of PC in this group of patients were 67%, 85%, 30%, 96% and 83%, respectively. Ascites detected by EUS was the only independent predictive factor of PC with an OR of 11 (CI 95%: 3–40). The detection of ascites by EUS was associated with a shorter survival (median survival time 7,3 months; range 0–60 vs 14.2 months; range 0–140) (p = 0.018) and earlier development of PC during follow-up (median 3.2 months, range 1.4–18.1 vs 12.7 months, range 5.4–54.8; p = 0.003). Conclusion The finding of ascites at EUS in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is highly associated with PC and a poor outcome.

Background. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) have an increased risk of CRC. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of CCE in the detection of lesions and also two different colon preparations. Methods. A prospective multicenter study was designed to assess CCE diagnostic yield in a cohort of asymptomatic individuals with a family history of CRC. CCE and colonoscopy were performed on the same day by 2 endoscopists who were blinded to the results of the other procedure. Results. Fifty-three participants were enrolled. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of CCE for detecting advanced adenomas were 100%, 98%, 67%, and 100%. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of CCE for the diagnosis of individuals with polyps were 87%, 97%, 93%, and 88%, respectively. CCE identify 100% of individuals with significant or advanced lesions. Overall cleanliness was adequate by 60.7% of them. The PEG-ascorbic boost seems to improve colon cleanliness, with similar colonic transit time. Conclusion. CCE is a promising tool, but it has to be considered as an alternative technique in this population in order to reduce the number of colonoscopies performed. More studies are needed to understand appropriate screening follow-up intervals and optimize the bowel preparation regimen.

Background The incidence of bacteremia after endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) or EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is between 0% and 4%, but there are no data on this topic in cirrhotic patients. Aim To prospectively assess the incidence of bacteremia in cirrhotic patients undergoing EUS and EUS-FNA. Patients and methods We enrolled 41 cirrhotic patients. Of these, 16 (39%) also underwent EUS-FNA. Blood cultures were obtained before and at 5 and 30 min after the procedure. When EUS-FNA was used, an extra blood culture was obtained after the conclusion of radial EUS and before the introduction of the sectorial echoendoscope. All patients were clinically followed up for 7 days for signs of infection. Results Blood cultures were positive in 16 patients. In 10 patients, blood cultures grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium species, Propionibacterium species or Acinetobacterium Lwoffii, which were considered contaminants (contamination rate 9.8%, 95% CI: 5.7–16%). The remaining 6 patients had true positive blood cultures and were considered to have had true bacteremia (15%, 95% CI: 4–26%). Blood cultures were positive after diagnostic EUS in five patients but were positive after EUS-FNA in only one patient. Thus, the frequency of bacteremia after EUS and EUS-FNA was 12% and 6%, respectively (95% CI: 2–22% and 0.2–30%, respectively). Only one of the patients who developed bacteremia after EUS had a self-limiting fever with no other signs of infection. Conclusion Asymptomatic Gram-positive bacteremia developed in cirrhotic patients after EUS and EUS-FNA at a rate higher than in non-cirrhotic patients. However, this finding was not associated with any clinically significant infections.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) are well-recognized techniques for the study of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). However, little evidence exists on their impact on clinical care. The aim of this study is to determine how often EUS and EUS-FNA alter the diagnosis and management of patients with PCLs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eight physicians expert in pancreatic diseases were asked to report their diagnoses and management recommendations for 49 different PCLs. Clinical information was sequentially disclosed in a stepwise manner - progressively from clinical data plus computed tomography or MRI (level 1), to EUS (level 2) and EUS-FNA results including cytology, carcinoembryonic antigen, and amylase levels (level 3). RESULTS EUS led to a change in the diagnosis and management in 30% [95% confidence interval (CI): 26-35%] and 19% (95% CI: 16-23%) of cases, respectively, usually to a more intensive approach (14%; 95% CI: 11-18%). EUS-FNA altered the diagnosis and management in an additional 39% (95% CI: 34-44%) and 21% (95% CI: 17-25%) of the evaluations, respectively. EUS-FNA also increased the consensus in the diagnosis among the specialists that ranged from fair with computed tomography/MRI (κ-index=0.32) to substantial with EUS-FNA (κ-index=0.43). CONCLUSION EUS and EUS-FNA impact the diagnosis and management of patients with PCLs; therefore, both are necessary in the workup of these patients. EUS-FNA markedly improves the agreement between physicians in terms of diagnosis, but not management. This study highlights the need for more research and standardization in the field.

Introduction Premalignant gastric lesions have an increased risk to develop gastric cancer. Objective To evaluate the usefulness of systematic endoscopy that includes chromoendoscopy with a double dye staining technique for the detection of dysplasia in patients with premalignant gastric lesions. Patients and methods This longitudinal, prospective study was performed in patients with gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia who were referred for endoscopy less than 6 months after the initial diagnosis. The second endoscopy was performed in three phases: phase 1, exhaustive and systematic review of the mucosa with photographic documentation and biopsies of suspicious areas; phase 2, chromoendoscopy with a double dye staining technique using acetic acid 1.2% and indigo carmine 0.5%; phase 3, topographic mapping and random biopsies. Results A total of 50 patients were included. Nine (18%) had atrophic gastritis, 38 (76%) had intestinal metaplasia, and 3 (6%) had low-grade dysplasia. Systematic endoscopy with chromoendoscopy using a double dye staining technique detected more patients with dysplasia (9 versus 3, p < .05), and a larger number of biopsies with the diagnosis of dysplasia were obtained. This occurred for visible (6 vs. 0, p < .05) and non-visible lesions (6 vs. 3, p = NS). In one patient, initial low-grade dysplasia was not detected again in the systematic endoscopy, giving a global endoscopic performance for the detection of lesions of 92%. Conclusions Patients with premalignant gastric lesions have synchronous lesions with greater histological severity, which are detected when systematic endoscopy is conducted with indigo carmine dye added to acetic acid. Introducción Las lesiones premalignas gástricas constituyen un factor de riesgo para desarrollar cáncer gástrico. Objetivo Evaluar la utilidad de una endoscopia sistemática que incluye bicromoendoscopia para la detección de displasia en pacientes con lesiones premalignas gástricas. Pacientes y métodos Estudio longitudinal y prospectivo de pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico de atrofia gástrica, metaplasia intestinal o displasia remitidos para nueva valoración por endoscopia antes de los 6 meses de la endoscopia inicial. La nueva endoscopia se realizó en 3 fases: revisión exhaustiva y sistemática de toda la mucosa con toma de fotos y biopsias de las lesiones sospechosas (fase 1), bicromoendoscopia con una mezcla de ácido acético 1,2% e índigo carmín 0,5% (fase 2) y mapeo topográfico con toma de biopsias aleatorias (fase 3). Resultados Cincuenta pacientes con diagnóstico de gastritis atrófica (n = 9, 18%), metaplasia intestinal (n = 38, 76%) y displasia de bajo grado (n = 3, 6%). La endoscopia sistemática con bicromoendoscopia identificó más pacientes con displasia (9 versus 3, p < 0,05) y se obtuvieron más biopsias con diagnóstico de displasia, tanto en lesiones visibles (6 vs. 0, p < 0,05) como no visibles (6 vs. 3, p = NS). En un paciente con displasia de bajo grado inicial, esta no volvió a detectarse en la endoscopia sistemática, siendo el rendimiento global de la endoscopia de seguimiento para detectar lesiones del 92%. Conclusiones Los pacientes con lesiones premalignas gástricas presentan lesiones sincrónicas de mayor severidad histológica que se ponen de manifiesto al realizar una endoscopia sistemática que incluye el uso de bicromoendoscopia.

Resumen Introduccion La calidad y tolerancia de la limpieza anterograda del colon son elementos clave para el exito del programa de cribado poblacional de cancer colorrectal (PPCCR). Objetivos Evaluar la calidad de la limpieza y la tolerancia segun la hora de administracion del polietilenglicol en individuos del PPCCR. Metodo Los participantes del PPCCR fueron aleatorizados en 2 grupos: a) grupo control (colonoscopia programada 09:00-12:00 h), preparacion con polietilenglicol la tarde antes; b) grupo a estudio (colonoscopia programada 12:00-15:00 h), preparacion con polietilenglicol la manana de la exploracion, con opcion de dosis partida. Se valoro la calidad de la limpieza con la escala de Boston y la tolerancia mediante un cuestionario. Resultados Se incluyeron 282 individuos: 134 se prepararon el dia anterior y 148 el mismo dia, 26 de los cuales realizaron dosis partida. El 95% de los individuos (n = 268) presentaron una limpieza adecuada. La calidad de la preparacion fue superior en el grupo a estudio (p = 0,045). El tiempo entre la finalizacion de la ingesta y el comienzo de la prueba se correlaciono inversamente con la puntuacion de la escala de Boston, (p = 0,036; r = −0,125). La tolerancia no se relaciono con el horario de la ingesta (p > 0,2). Los individuos del grupo a estudio presentaron peor aceptacion del horario que los del grupo control (26 vs. 10%, respectivamente; p = 0,001). Conclusiones Los pacientes que se preparan lo mas cerca posible de la hora de la exploracion presentan mejor calidad de la limpieza sin detrimento en la tolerancia, aunque esta pauta resulta mas incomoda.

Resumen Antecedentes Muchos pacientes con cirugia bariatrica desarrollan complicaciones postoperatorias gastrointestinales que pueden requerir la realizacion de una endoscopia digestiva alta. Objetivo Describir de forma prospectiva las complicaciones gastrointestinales diagnosticadas por endoscopia despues de la cirugia bariatrica. Pacientes y metodos Seguimiento de los pacientes sometidos a cirugia bariatrica laparoscopica entre enero de 1998 y diciembre de 2006. Fueron recogidos los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, indice de masa corporal, comorbilidad, tipo y duracion de la cirugia bariatrica, presentacion clinica de la complicacion, tiempo de la presentacion, tratamiento endoscopico y seguimiento. Resultados Fueron operados 474 pacientes (el 74% mujeres, el 26% hombres) con una edad media de 44 ± 11 anos (rango, 15-66) y un indice de masa corporal medio de 47 ± 7 (rango, 33-82). El procedimiento quirurgico mas frecuente fue la gastroenteroanastomosis en Y de Roux (90%). Identificamos 68 complicaciones (14%) que requirieron una endoscopia digestiva alta: estenosis de la anastomosis (21 casos, 5%), hemorragia digestiva alta (16 casos, 3,6%), epigastralgia (12 casos, 2,5%), vomitos (7 casos, 1,5%), pirosis (6 casos, 1,3%) y otros (6 casos, 1,3%). No encontramos ningun factor pronostico de presentacion de complicaciones que requiriera endoscopia despues de la cirugia. Conclusiones La estenosis de la anastomosis es la complicacion mas frecuente que requiere tratamiento endoscopico despues de cirugia bariatrica. La hemorragia digestiva alta en el postoperatorio inmediato y tardio puede ser tratada de forma adecuada y segura con tecnicas endoscopicas.

Background The diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions is still a challenge. Aim To prospectively investigate the usefulness and safety of EUS-guided cytology brushing (EUS BR) in the cellular diagnosis of pancreatic cysts. Methods Cysts >15 mm were sampled with a 19G needle. The fluid was aspirated and processed for cytology. The brush was introduced to scrub the cystic wall and processed as standard brushings. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered. Complications were assessed in the first 24 h and 7 days after the procedure. Results 30 patients were included. In 8 patients the technique failed for technical reasons. EUS BR provided with a cellular diagnosis in 20/22 cases (91%). The EUS BR was superior to the aspirated fluid for detecting diagnostic cells (73% vs. 36%, p = 0.08) and mucinous cells (50% vs. 18%, p = 0.016). In the 8 patients operated on, the specimen was consistent with EUS BR diagnosis. Three patients (10%) had complications, one of them a subacute retroperitoneal haemorrhage in a patient on anticoagulation therapy who died for complications 1 month later. Conclusions EUS BR increases cellular diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions as compared with fluid analysis, mainly in mucinous lesions. Its use is not recommended in patients under anticoagulation therapy.

Resumen Introduccion Las neoplasias quisticas (NQ) del pancreas suponen el 10% de las lesiones quistica y el 1% de las neoplasias del pancreas. La neoplasia mucinosa quistica (NMQ), el cistoadenoma seroso (CS) y la neoplasia mucinosa papilar intraductal (NMPI) son algunos tipos de NQ y representan mas del 90% de este tipo de lesiones. Existen escasas series publicadas, especialmente en nuestro pais. Objetivo Evaluar la incidencia, caracteristicas y supervivencia de los pacientes con NQ atendidos en nuestro hospital en un periodo de 12 anos. Pacientes y metodo Se realizo un analisis retrospectivo de todos los pacientes diagnosticados en nuestro hospital de NQ por tomografia computadorizada abdominal, colangiopancreatografia por resonancia magnetica y/o ultrasonografia endoscopica, desde enero de 1997 a diciembre de 2008. Se evaluo el sexo, la edad, el ano de diagnostico, la forma de presentacion, la localizacion y el tamano del tumor, el tipo de cirugia, la anatomia patologica y la supervivencia. Resultados Fueron analizados 117 pacientes con una edad media de 63±14 anos, el 56% fueron mujeres. El diagnostico fue de 88 NMPI, 21 CS y 8 NMQ. El 59% fueron diagnosticados en los ultimos 4 anos. El 42,7% fueron un hallazgo casual y el 19% tenian el antecedente de pancreatitis aguda. La localizacion mas frecuente fue la cabeza pancreatica (53%). El tamano medio por tecnica de imagen fue de 32 mm. Fueron intervenidos quirurgicamente el 69,2%. El 23% eran malignos, 30% carcinoma «in situ» y 70% invasivos. Fallecieron 13% de los pacientes, 93,3% eran carcinomas invasivos. La supervivencia a los 5 anos de los CS fue del 94,7%, de las NMPI fue del 76% y de las NMQ del 60%. Conclusion Las NQ son mayoritariamente hallazgos casuales, aunque debe tenerse en cuenta como causa de pancreatitis aguda. El tumor mas frecuente en nuestro medio es la NMPI. El tratamiento quirurgico de las NMQ y NMPI, en el momento oportuno, puede evitar la evolucion hacia carcinoma pancreatico.

Background & Aims: It is essential to optimize standard colonoscopy technique to be able to increase polyp detection. We sought to compare the performance of colonoscopy using a high-definition, wide-angle endoscope (HDE) versus a standard colonoscope (SC) for the detection of colorectal neoplasia. Patients and Methods: All consecutive consenting adult patients referred from primary care centers were included and randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to undergo HDE or SC. Times to reach and withdraw from the cecum were measured. Morphology, size, location, and pathologic diagnosis of each polyp were recorded. Sample size calculation resulted in a total of 682 patients needed. Results: A total of 693 consecutive patients fulfilled all inclusion criteria (73 excluded owing to insufficient bowel preparation). Each arm included 310 patients with no baseline characteristic differences. Time to reach the cecum was slightly superior for SC (8.9 ± 4.8 minutes vs 8.2 ± 4.5 minutes; P = .055). Pathology examination was feasible in 418 lesions (272 adenomas, 109 hyperplastic polyps, and 37 inflammatory lesions). Both techniques detected a similar number and type of lesions, and there were no differences in the distribution along the colon, in the degree of dysplasia, or morphology of adenomas. The per-patient basis analyses demonstrated that there were no differences between the 2 arms of the study in the detection rates of polyps (SC, 0.84 ± 1.59; HDE, 0.83 ± 1.30), adenomas (0.45 ± 1.07 vs 0.43 ± 0.87), small adenomas (0.22 ± 0.71 vs 0.28 ± 0.78), flat adenomas (0.30 ± 0.91 vs 0.21 ± 0.63), or hyperplastic polyps (0.16 ± 0.50 vs 0.18 ± 0.54). Conclusion: HDE did not detect significantly more colorectal neoplasia than SC.

Aims To evaluate a) new diagnoses by endoscopic ultrasound guided real-time fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) compared with EUS alone; b) the predictive factors for an accurate EUS-FNA diagnosis, and c) the cost-effectiveness of the presence of an on-site cytopathologist. Patients and methods Demographic data, ultrasonographic characteristics, technical information on EUS-FNA and cytological results were prospectively collected in 213 patients. The gold standard used was pathological examination or clinical follow-up. Operating characteristics of EUS-FNA, multivariate analysis, and a cost-minimization study of onsite evaluation were performed with these variables. Results Samples were obtained from a total of 262 lesions: extramural masses (n = 115), lymph nodes (n = 96), cysts (n = 40) and intramural lesions (n = 11). The overall accuracy of EUS-FNA was 89% (234/262 lesions). The accuracy of EUS in discriminating between malignant and benign disease was 92% but 105 lesions (40% of the total) were classified as indeterminate. The addition of FNA to EUS allowed almost all lesions (89%) to be diagnosed with an accuracy of 90%. The only variable independently associated with an incorrect diagnosis was intramural location of the target lesion. The effectiveness of EUS-FNA in the complete series progressively increased, reaching a plateau in the fourth pass. The presence of an attendant cytopathologist was cost-effective. Conclusions EUS-FNA allows diagnosis of most lesions classified as indeterminate by EUS alone. The only factor independently associated with low accuracy is intramural location of the lesion. The availability of an on-site cytopathologist is cost-effective.

Summary Background : The demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy is increasing in most developed countries, resulting in an important rise in overall costs and waiting lists for endoscopic procedures. Therefore, adherence to appropriate indications for these procedures is essential for the rational use of finite resources in an open-access system. Aim : To assess indications and appropriateness of colonoscopy according to the European Panel on the Appropriateness of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (EPAGE) criteria. Methods : From May to June 2004, all consecutive patients referred to our Unit for open-access colonoscopy were considered for inclusion in this prospective study. Appropriateness of each colonoscopy was established according to the EPAGE criteria. In order to evaluate whether appropriateness of use correlated with the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy, relevant endoscopic findings were also recorded. Results : A total of 350 consecutive patients were included in the study. In 38 of them, the colonoscopy indication was not listed in the EPAGE guidelines and, consequently, they were not evaluated. In the remaining 312 patients, the indication for the procedure was considered inappropriate in 73 (23%) patients. Both referring doctor characteristics (specialty and health care setting) and patient data (age) correlated with appropriateness of endoscopy. The diagnostic yield was significantly higher for appropriate colonoscopies (42%) than in those judged inappropriate (21%) (P = 0.001). Conclusions : A noteworthy proportion of patients referred for colonoscopy to an open-access endoscopy unit are considered inappropriate because of their indication, with significant differences among specialties. These results suggest that implementation of validated guidelines for its appropriate use could improve this situation and, considering the correlation between appropriateness and diagnostic yield, even contribute to improve the prognosis of patients with colorectal diseases.

Summary Background : The identification and treatment of lesions located in the small intestine in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is always a clinical challenge. Aim : To examine prospectively the diagnostic precision and the clinical efficacy of capsule endoscopy compared with push enteroscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods : Forty-two patients (22 men and 20 women) with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (overt bleeding in 26 cases and occult blood loss with chronic anaemia in 16) and normal oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were analysed. All patients were instructed to receive the capsule endoscopy and push enteroscopy was performed within the next 7 days. Both techniques were blindly performed by separate examiners. The diagnostic yield for each technique was defined as the frequency of detection of clinically relevant intestinal lesions carrying potential for bleeding. Results : A bleeding site potentially related to gastrointestinal bleeding or evidence of active bleeding was identified in a greater proportion of patients using capsule endoscopy (74%; 31 of 42) than enteroscopy (19%; eight of 42) (P = 0.05). The most frequent capsule endoscopy findings were: angiodysplasia (45%), fresh blood (23%), jejunal ulcers (10%), ileal inflammatory mucosa (6%) and ileal tumour (6%). No additional intestinal diagnoses were made by enteroscopy. In seven patients (22%), the results obtained with capsule endoscopy led to a successful change in the therapeutic approach. Conclusions : Compared with push enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy increases the diagnosis yield in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, and allows modification on therapy strategy in a remarkable proportion of patients.

Summary Aim : To establish the usefulness of KRAS mutational analysis in the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma by comparing this technique with conventional cytology in aspirates obtained by endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration. Methods : All consecutive patients with pancreatic focal lesions undergoing endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration were included. Samples were obtained with the concourse of an attendant cytopathologist. Detection of codon-12 KRAS mutations was performed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction method. The effectiveness of conventional cytology, KRAS mutational analysis and their combination was established with respect to the definitive diagnosis. A cost-effectiveness analysis was also performed. Results : Thirty-three patients had pancreatic adenocarcinoma and 24 patients had other lesions. A total of 136 samples was obtained. In patients in whom specimens were adequate (93% for cytology; 100% for mutational analysis), the specificity of both techniques was 100%, whereas the sensitivity favoured cytology (97% vs. 73%). When inadequate samples were considered as misdiagnosed, a combination of both techniques reached the highest overall accuracy (cytology, 91%; mutational analysis, 84%; combination of both, 98%). Conclusions : Cytology from aspirates obtained by endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration is the most precise single technique for the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, when adequate specimens are not available to reach a cytological diagnosis, the addition of KRAS mutational analysis represents the best strategy.

IntroducciON La identificacion y localizacion de las lesiones situadas en el intestino delgado que pueden provocar hemorragia digestiva resultan dificiles. Objetivo Analizar el papel de la capsula endoscopica en los pacientes con hemorragia digestiva de origen indeterminado y comparar los resultados obtenidos entre esta exploracion y la enteroscopia. Pacientes Y Metodos Se analizo a 21 pacientes con hemorragia digestiva de origen indeterminado (hemorragia aguda en 11 casos y anemia cronica en 10) con fibrogastroscopia y fibrocolonoscopia total normales. Se instruyo a todos ellos para recibir la capsula y al cabo de una semana se les realizo una enteroscopia. Se compararon los resultados obtenidos mediante ambos procedimientos de forma independiente y sin conocimiento del resultado de la otra exploracion. Resultados La visualizacion de hallazgos potencialmente relacionados con la hemorragia digestiva fue significativamente mayor (p Conclusiones La capsula endoscopica permite una correcta visualizacion de todo el intestino delgado y posee una eficacia diagnostica superior a la enteroscopia en el estudio de pacientes con hemorragia digestiva de origen indeterminado. Ademas permitio modificar la conducta terapeutica en uno de cada 5 enfermos de nuestra serie.

Many daily activities cause acute elevations of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). In portal hypertensive cirrhotic patients, increased IAP increases absolute portal pressure and azygos blood flow, suggesting that it may have detrimental consequences at the esophageal varices. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of increased IAP on variceal pressure, size, and wall tension. Endosonography and a noninvasive endoscopic pressure gauge were used to measure variceal pressure, radius, wall tension, and volume in baseline conditions and after increasing IAP by 10 mm Hg using an inflatable girdle in 14 patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices. Increasing IAP markedly increased variceal pressure (from 13.3 +/- 4.2 to 17.4 +/- 4.6 mm Hg; P =.0001) and radius (from 2.9 +/- 1.0 to 3.9 +/- 1.1 mm; P =.0001). Consequently, wall tension dramatically increased (from 38.7 +/- 13.6 to 65.9 +/- 23.8 mm Hg. mm, +78%; P =.0001). Variceal volume increased significantly from 1,264 +/- 759 to 2,025 +/- 1,129 mm(3) (P =.0001). In conclusion, in portal hypertensive cirrhotic patients, increases in IAP have deleterious effects on variceal hemodynamics, markedly increasing the volume, pressure, and wall tension of the varices. Increases in IAP may contribute to the progressive dilatation that precedes the rupture of the varices in portal hypertension.

Introduccion . El aumento de la complejidad del abordaje diagnostico-terapeutico de los pacientes con cancer colorrectal (CCR) hace aconsejable su atencion en unidades multidisciplinarias especializadas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia y la eficiencia de una unidad de cancer colorrectal (UCCR) en el abordaje diagnostico-terapeutico de estos pacientes. Pacientes Y Metodos . Se han seleccionado dos grupos de 50 pacientes con cancer de colon atendidos en nuestro centro antes y despues de la implementacion de la UCCR. Se ha analizado el cumplimiento del protocolo asistencial en relacion con la estadificacion del tumor, el tratamiento quirurgico y complementario, el seguimiento, el intervalo hasta la terapia, la estancia hospitalaria, la morbilidad y mortalidad inmediata, y la duracion global del proceso diagnostico-terapeutico. Ademas, se ha evaluado la carga asistencial y se ha realizado un analisis de minimizacion de costes. Resultados . La UCCR ha permitido reducir el intervalo hasta la cirugia (20,3 ± 12,0 frente a 28,9 ± 20,4 dias; p = 0,05), la estancia hospitalaria (9,8 ± 7,7 frente a 14,5 ± 9,3 dias; p = 0,01), el tiempo transcurrido hasta el inicio del tra-tamiento adyuvante (29,4 ± 10,2 frente a 39,7 ± 19,8 dias; p = 0,03), y la duracion global del proceso (60,4 ± 23,8 frente a 82,1 ± 46,1 dias; p = 0,05), lo que supone un ahorro de 978,85 euros por paciente. Esta mejora ha tenido lugar a pesar del incremento de la carga asistencial (24% en 5 anos en relacion con el numero de ingresos) y no ha afectado la morbilidad (26 frente a 24%; NS) ni la mortalidad inmediata (6 frente a 4%; NS). Conclusion . Las unidades multidisciplinarias especializadas favorecen un abordaje mas eficaz y eficiente de los pacientes con cancer de colon.

Chronic pancreatitis lesions usually embrace both intraduct papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Patients at genetically-determined high risk of PDAC often harbor IPMN and/or chronic pancreatitis, suggesting IPMN, chronic pancreatitis and PDAC may share pathogenetic mechanisms. Chronic autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) may also herald PDAC. Concurrent IPMN and AIP have been reported in few patients. Here we describe two patients with IPMN who developed type-1 AIP fulfilling the Honolulu and Boston diagnostic criteria. AIP diffusively affected the whole pancreas, as well as peripancreatic lymph nodes and the gallbladder. Previous pancreatic resection of focal IPMN did not show features of AIP. One of the patients carried a CFTR class-I mutation. Of notice, serum IgG4 levels gradually decreased to normal values after IPMN excision. Common risk factors to IPMN and AIP may facilitate its coincidental generation.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is not well established, as some reports suggest a low risk, whereas others indicate that HCC may be no less frequent than in other types of cirrhosis. METHODS: We compared the incidence of HCC in a series of 140 patients with PBC (five men, 135 women, mean age 54 ± 1.6 yr) followed-up for a mean of period of 5.6 ± 0.4 yr with a group of patients with cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were matched for age, sex, and follow-up period. In all patients, HCC was prospectively screened by clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound procedures. RESULTS: Five patients with PBC (3.6%) developed HCC. All were in stage IV of the disease. The incidence of HCC in the 45 patients with late stages of the disease (III or IV) was 11.1%, similar to that found in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis, which was 15.0%. The relative risk for HCC in late stages of PBC was of 0.812 (95% CI, 0.229–2.883) with respect to HCV-related cirrhosis. The probability for developing HCC was significantly higher in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis than in PBC patients overall (p = 0.001), but was similar in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and in patients with PBC in stages III and IV (p = ns). CONCLUSION: The risk for HCC in patients with late stages of PBC is similar to that in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.

Variceal rupture is believed to occur when variceal wall tension is excessive. The combined use of endosonography, allowing the objective measurement of variceal radius, and endoscopic measurement of transmural variceal pressure may enable assessment of this important parameter. The aim of this study was to assess the effects on variceal hemodynamics of drugs acting through different mechanisms: decreasing portocollateral blood flow (propranolol) or resistance (isosorbide-5-mononitrate [ISMN]).Repeated measurements of variceal radius, volume (by endosonography), and transmural pressure (using endoscopic gauge) were performed in 27 cirrhotic patients at baseline and 40 minutes after double-blind administration of placebo (n = 9), propranolol (n = 9), or ISMN (n = 9).Placebo had no effect. Propranolol significantly reduced variceal volume (-32% +/- 26%; P = 0.01), radius (-12% +/- 9%; P0.005), and pressure (-26% +/- 10%; P0.0001). The resulting decrease in wall tension (-34% +/- 13%; P0.0005) exceeded that in transmural pressure (P0.01). ISMN reduced transmural variceal pressure (-26% +/- 21%; P0.005), but not radius (-3% +/-14%; NS) and volume (-9% +/- 31%; NS).The combination of endosonography and endoscopic measurement of transmural variceal pressure allows quantitative estimation of variceal wall tension. Propranolol and ISMN reduce similarly transmural variceal pressure. Propranolol, but not ISMN, reduces variceal volume and radius. Therefore, despite similar decreases in variceal wall tension, propranolol may offer a greater therapeutic effect than ISMN in portal hypertension.

Circulatory abnormalities with activation of vasoconstrictor systems after large-volume paracentesis are generally considered secondary to an increased extravasation of fluid from the intravascular compartment to the extravascular space with subsequent reduction in plasma volume. To test this hypothesis, plasma volume, the transvascular escape rate of albumin, the absolute escape rate of albumin and the activity of vasoconstrictor systems were measured in 25 cirrhotic patients with ascites in baseline conditions and 2 days after total paracentesis with plasma volume expansion.Plasma volume and the transvascular escape rate of albumin, the fraction of albumin passing from the intravascular to the extravascular space per unit of time, were assessed through the plasma disappearance curve of radioiodinated human albumin. The absolute escape rate of albumin, the total flux of albumin from intravascular to extravascular space per unit of time, was also calculated.Eight of the 25 patients (32%) developed marked activation of vasoconstrictor systems after paracentesis. In these patients, plasma renin activity and plasma norepinephrine concentration increased from 6.6+/-2 to 23.4+/-11 ng x ml(-1) x h(-1) and 776+/-229 to 989+/-258 pg/ml, respectively (p0.05). No significant changes in these parameters were found in the remaining 17 patients. The activation of vasoconstrictor systems occurred in the absence of changes in plasma volume (3456+/-276 vs 3476+/-264 ml, NS), transvascular escape rate of albumin (10.4+/-1 vs 10.9+/-2%/h, NS) and absolute escape rate of albumin (9.9+/-1.9 vs 10.5+/-0.7 g/h, NS).These results do not support a contraction of plasma volume as the mechanism responsible for activation of vasoconstrictor systems after paracentesis. Rather, the activation of vasoconstrictor systems in the absence of changes in plasma volume suggests that paracentesis accentuates the impairment of "effective" blood volume present in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Background/Aims: Intravenous ornipressin in cirrhotic patients with hepatorenal syndrome causes marked improvement of systemic hemodynamics and suppression of plasma renin and norepinephrine but only moderate improvement of renal function. This study was designed to investigate whether these beneficial effects could be enhanced by the simultaneous administration of dopamine. The renal effects of the i.v. infusion of norepinephrine plus prostacyclin in patients with hepatorenal syndrome were also assessed. Methods: Renal plasma flow, glomerula filtration rate, free water clearance, sodium excretion and the plasma levels of renin and norepinephrine were measured in baseline conditions and during the administration of ornipressin (6 IU/h) and ornipressin (6 IU/h) plus dopamine (2 μg/kg·min) in nine patients with hepatorenal syndrome. Five additional patients with hepatorenal syndrome were studied prior to and following the administration of norepinephrine (0.45±0.1 μg/kg·min) and norepinephrine (0.85±0.2 μg/kg·min) plus prostacyclin (5 ng/kg·min). Results: Despite a significant increase in arterial pressure and marked suppression of plasma renin activity during ornipressin and ornipressin plus dopamine administration, no significant improvement in renal function was observed. Norepinephrine and norepinephrine plus prostacyclin also failed to increase renal perfusion and glomerular filtration rate. Conclusions: The combined administration of systemic vasoconstrictors (ornipressin or norepinephrine) and vasodilators (dopamine or prostacyclin), at the doses used in the current study and for a short period of time, does not improve renal function in cirrhotic patients with hepatorenal syndrome. The current study does not confirm a potential role for ornipressin in the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome.

Cirrhotic patients with ascites show increased plasma levels of natriuretic peptides from cardiac origin (i.e., atrial natriuretic peptide [ANP] and brain natriuretic peptide [BNP]). Urodilatin is a unique member of the natriuretic peptide family because it is exclusively synthesized in the kidney acting on a paracrine fashion in the regulation of sodium excretion. To investigate the renal production of urodilatin in cirrhosis and its relationship with other natriuretic peptides and sodium retention, urodilatin excretion and plasma levels of ANP were measured in 21 healthy subjects, 13 cirrhotic patients without ascites and 23 cirrhotic patients with ascites. Urine urodilatin was measured with a highly specific radioimmunoassay using a polyclonal antibody against human urodilatin. Patients with ascites had marked sodium retention (UNa 7 +/- 2 mEq/d) as compared to patients without ascites and healthy subjects (29 +/- 3 mEq/d and 34 +/- 5 mEq/d, respectively, P.001). Patients with cirrhosis and ascites had urine urodilatin excretion similar to patients without ascites and healthy subjects (82 +/- 8 pmol/g, 95 +/- 10 pmol/g, and 89 +/- 9 pmol/ g of creatinine, respectively; not significant). In addition, immunoreactive urodilatin from cirrhotic patients with ascites and healthy subjects showed a similar chromatographic pattern. By contrast, plasma ANP levels were increased significantly in patients with ascites (29 +/- 3 fmol/mL) as compared with patients without ascites or healthy subjects (14 +/- 3 fmol/mL and 6 +/- 1 fmol/mL, respectively; P.01). In conclusion, urine urodilatin excretion is normal in patients with cirrhosis even in the presence of marked sodium retention. The coexistence of increased ANP levels and normal urodilatin excretion suggests that in cirrhosis both natriuretic peptides are regulated independently.

Despite the efficacy of shunt surgery in the treatment of variceal bleeding, less effective nonoperative therapies are being substituted because surgical shunt does not modify survival and increases hepatic encephalopathy. However, the real impact of shunt surgery on the natural history of ascites and its complications has not been established. The course of 204 Child-Pugh A and B cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding included in three controlled trials of our units who survived first hospitalization was updated. Ninety-eight patients (group I) were treated by portacaval (56 patients) or distal splenorenal (42 patients) shunt, whereas 106 (group II) were treated by nonshunt procedures (sclerotherapy in 89 patients and staple transection in 17 patients). As expected, the 5-yr probability of variceal rebleeding was lower (13% vs. 44%) and hepatic encephalopathy higher (50% vs. 28%) in group I than in group II, and survival was similar (67% vs. 60%). Shunt surgery had a great impact on the natural history of ascites and its complications. The probability of occurrence of ascites (15% vs. 73%; p < 0.0001), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (2% vs. 21%; p < 0.0001) and hepatorenal syndrome (4% vs. 21%; p < 0.01) was greatly reduced. These beneficial effects accounted for the lower percentage patients requiring readmissions (51% vs. 70%; p = 0.02) and shorter total time spent in hospital (14 +/- 22 vs. 26 +/- 39 days/patient; p = 0.01) in group I. These data indicate that shunt surgery, in addition to reducing the probability of rebleeding, markedly decreases the probability of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A questionnaire to assess the clinical choice of ascites treatment in cirrhosis was distributed to 1473 participants in an EASL meeting. The response rate (295, 20%) was considered satisfactory in view of the heterogeneity of the persons attending this event. Most participants (86.4%) in the survey were hepatologists and gastroenterologists. The following conclusions of the survey are noteworthy: (1) The objective of ascites therapy was to eliminate completely or almost completely the ascitic fluid for 49% of responders and to decrease ascites volume to an acceptable level of patient comfort for 48%; (2) The classical progressive therapeutic schedule of ascites is rarely used; (3) Following mobilisation of ascites, most (82%) maintain patients on diuretic therapy to avoid reaccumulation of ascites; (4) Only 5% of participants did not use paracentesis to manage ascites in cirrhosis. This was the therapeutic procedure most frequently used for patients with refractory ascites; (5) Although the most acceptable definition of refractory ascites was ascites which cannot be mobilized by maximal medical treatment, a significant proportion of participants also considered that intractable ascites due to diuretic-induced complications and recidivant ascites should be included in the definition; (6) The proportions of participants prescribing prophylactic therapy, mainly low sodium diet, to compensated patients with and without a past history of ascites were 68% and 16%, respectively.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of an oral dose (20 mg) of isosorbide-5-mononitrate on systemic hemodynamics, kidney function, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations in 16 nonazotemic cirrhotic patients. Isosorbide-5-mononitrate significantly reduced cardiopulmonary pressures, cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance, mean arterial pressure, renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, free water clearance, sodium excretion and atrial natriuretic peptide concentration and significantly increased renin and aldosterone values. Cardiopulmonary pressures, atrial natriuretic peptide, cardiac output and mean arterial pressure decreased to a similar extent in patients with (n = 9) and without ascites (n = 7). In patients with ascites we noted marked increases in plasma renin activity (3.7 +/- 1.1 ng/ml/hr to 6.4 +/- 1.8 ng/ml/hr; p = 0.01) and aldosterone level (61.1 +/- 17.5 ng/dl to 108.4 +/- 36.1 ng/dl; p = 0.01). In contrast, in patients without ascites the elevation of plasma renin activity (0.5 +/- 0.16 ng/ml/hr to 0.95 +/- 0.27 ng/ml/hr; p = 0.02) and aldosterone level (5.9 +/- 1.3 ng/dl to 12.3 +/- 3.8 ng/dl; p = 0.02) was mild, and in no case did these parameters increase over the upper normal limit. Isosorbide-5-mononitrate produced a significantly greater reduction of glomerular filtration rate (-21.4% +/- 3.3% vs. -8.9% +/- 4.2%; p = 0.03) and free water clearance (-82.4% +/- 16.1% vs. -34.5% +/- 12.3%; p = 0.03) in patients with ascites than in those without.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cefotaxime is the most commonly used antibiotic for initial therapy of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis. However, since the introduction of cefotaxime no study has been performed to investigate factors influencing prognosis in cirrhotic patients with this type of infection. In this study, predictive factors for infection resolution and patient survival were investigated in 213 consecutive episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in 185 cirrhotic patients. All patients were initially treated with cefotaxime. One hundred sixty-five episodes (77%) resolved with cefotaxime alone, and two more episodes (1%), initially unresponsive to cefotaxime, were cured after modification of antibiotic therapy. In a multivariate analysis (stepwise logistic regression), only 4 of 51 clinical and laboratory variables obtained at the time of diagnosis of infection were identified as independent predictors of infection resolution: band neutrophils in white blood cell count, community-acquired vs. hospital-acquired peritonitis, blood urea nitrogen level and serum aspartate aminotransferase level. No patient experienced serious adverse effects related to cefotaxime. Eighty-two patients died during hospitalization (38% mortality rate in relation to the 213 episodes of peritonitis). In the multivariate analysis, six variables were independently correlated with survival: blood urea nitrogen level, serum aspartate aminotransferase level, community-acquired vs. hospital-acquired peritonitis, age, Child-Pugh score and ileus. No microbiological data had predictive value for infection resolution or survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prostaglandins play an important role in the maintenance of renal hemodynamics and water excretion in cirrhosis. To investigate whether the administration of prostaglandins improves renal function in cirrhotic patients with ascites, 16 patients with functional renal failure and/or dilutional hyponatremia were given oral misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analogue (200 micrograms/6 h for 4 days; n = 9) or intravenous prostaglandin E2 (0.5 microgram/min for 1 h followed by 1 microgram/min for another hour; n = 7). The administration of misoprostol did not induce significant changes in the glomerular filtration rate (59 +/- 11 vs. 54 +/- 11 ml/min), sodium excretion (4.0 +/- 1.3 vs. 4.1 +/- 2.1 microEq/min), and free water clearance (2.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.9 ml/min), nor did it improve the natriuretic response to an intravenous bolus of 40 mg of furosemide (486 +/- 124 vs. 406 +/- 88 microEq/min). Similarly, an infusion of prostaglandin E2 did not induce significant changes in the glomerular filtration rate (baseline: 33 +/- 6; 0.5 microgram/min: 31 +/- 5; 1 microgram/min: 31 +/- 6 ml/min) and sodium excretion (5.7 +/- 2.7; 3.2 +/- 1.4; and 1.5 +/- 0.7 microEq/min, respectively), whereas free water clearance decreased significantly (1.1 +/- 0.7; 0.5 +/- 0.5; and -0.1 +/- 0.2 ml/min, respectively, p < 0.05). These results indicate that oral misoprostol or the intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E2 do not improve renal function in cirrhosis with ascites.