EUS‐guided coil and glue injection versus endoscopic glue injection for gastric varices: International multicentre propensity‐matched analysis

Abstract Background Gastric varices (GVs) are conventionally managed with endoscopic cyanoacrylate (E‐CYA) glue injection. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided therapy using combination of coils and CYA glue (EUS‐CG) is a relatively recent modality. There is limited data comparing the two techniques. Methodology This international multicentre study included patients with GV undergoing endotherapy from two Indian and two Italian tertiary care centres. Patients undergoing EUS‐CG were compared with propensity‐matched E‐CYA cases from a cohort of 218 patients. Procedural details such as amount of glue, number of coils used, number of sessions required for obliteration, bleeding after index procedure rates and need for re‐intervention were noted. Results Of 276 patients, 58 (male 42, 72.4%; mean age—44.3 ± 12.1 years) underwent EUS‐CG and were compared with 118 propensity‐matched cases of E‐CYA. In the EUS‐CG arm, complete obliteration at 4 weeks was noted in 54 (93.1%) cases. Compared to the E‐CYA cohort, EUS‐CG arm showed significantly lower number of session (1.0 vs. 1.5; p < 0.0001) requirement, lower subsequent‐bleeding episodes (13.8% vs. 39.1%; p < 0.0001) and lower re‐intervention (12.1% vs. 50.4%; p < 0.001) rates. On multivariable regression analysis, size of the varix (aOR‐1.17; CI 1.08–1.26) and technique of therapy (aOR‐14.71; CI 4.32–50.0) were significant predictors of re‐bleeding. A maximum GV size >17.5 mm had a 69% predictive accuracy for need for re‐intervention. Conclusion Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided therapy of GV using coil and CYA glue is a safe technique with better efficacy and lower re‐bleeding rates on follow‐up compared to the conventional endoscopic CYA therapy.