Oesophageal varices are enlarged veins within the lower oesophagus and the oesophagogastric junction which develop in patients with portal hypertension, often as a result of cirrhosis. Bleeding from varices has a significant risk of death and the risk of re-bleeding is high.
The management of bleeding oesophageal varices commonly requires blood transfusion. Measures aimed at arresting the bleeding include vasoactive medication, balloon tamponade, endoscopic variceal band ligation or sclerotherapy. In patients with refractory bleeding, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSS), and shunt or devascularisation surgery, may be required.
The aim of this procedure is to apply pressure to the bleeding oesophageal varices to induce haemostasis.
A coated metal stent supplied on a delivery system is inserted with the aim of compressing the bleeding varices in the oesophageal wall. The stent is usually inserted with the aid of an endoscope (but can be inserted without), and appropriate positioning may be confirmed endoscopically, fluoroscopically or by chest X‑ray.
The stent maintains a patent oesophageal lumen for passage of food, saliva and other fluids. It is left in position for up to 2 weeks and is then removed endoscopically.
Further procedures, such as TIPSS or surgery, may be done to reduce the risk of further bleeds.
Sections 2.3 and 2.4 describe efficacy and safety outcomes from the published literature that the Committee considered as part of the evidence about this procedure. For more detailed information on the evidence, see the overview.
Case series of 34 and 20 patients reported that stent insertion stopped the bleeding in all patients and that no re-bleeding occurred in any patients (60-day follow-up). A case series of 10 patients reported immediate control of bleeding in 78% (7 out of 9) of patients who had successful stent insertion (stent insertion was unsuccessful in 1 patient). Re-bleeding, which was successfully treated by TIPSS, occurred in 1 patient.
Case series of 34, 20 and 10 patients treated with stent insertion reported 10, 2 and 5 deaths respectively during follow-up of between 42 and 60 days. Of the 17 deaths, 2 resulted from exsanguination, 1 was caused by multi-organ failure and failure to control the bleeding, and the remainder were as a result of hepatic or multi-organ failure.
The case series of 34 patients reported that 32% (11 out of 34) of patients required endoscopic band ligation, 24% (8 out of 34) required radiologic TIPSS insertion and 15% (5 out of 34) required laparoscopic azygoportal disconnection after stent removal (timing of events not stated).
The case series of 20 patients reported that after stent removal 25% (5 out of 20) of patients required TIPSS insertion, 25% (5 out of 20) required laparoscopic azygoportal disconnection and 20% (4 out of 20) required embolotherapy with sclerosing agents combined with coils (timing of events not stated).
The Specialist Advisers listed key efficacy outcomes as control of bleeding, reduction in risk of re-bleeding, avoidance of using blood products and survival.
A case report described acute bronchial obstruction at day 6 caused by stent-related compression of the left main bronchus (confirmed by computed tomography scan) which was relieved by stent removal.
Migration of the stent into the stomach was reported in 21% (7 out of 34) of patients during 60-day follow-up in the case series of 34 patients. All stents were successfully repositioned within 24 to 48 hours. In the case series of 20 patients, stent migration into the stomach was reported in 25% (5 out of 20) of patients: all stents were repositioned endoscopically. Three of the 5 migrations were in the first 5 patients in the series.
Slight oesophageal ulceration at the distal end of the stent was reported in 1 patient within 60-day follow-up in the case series of 34 patients.
The Specialist Advisers listed adverse events reported in the literature or from their own experience as mucosal trauma on withdrawal, oesophageal perforation, oesophageal pressure ulceration, fistula formation, worsening of bleeding, failure of removal of the device and aspiration pneumonia. They considered theoretical adverse events to include dysphagia.