Endoscopic band ligation a better technique to treat Gastric antral vascular Ectasia: Study

 Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) uses innovative technology to address enlarged esophageal varices with fewer complications and faster recovery than past methods.

Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) has encouraging results for Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) however it hasn't been widely used. A new study by Dr Mohan P Babu and team reported that EBL proved to show promising clinical results while treating GAVE. The study is published in Gastrointestinal endoscopy journal.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) and its outcomes in treatment of GAVE.

The study is designed as a comprehensive search of several databases (inception to May 2021) to identify studies reporting on the use of EBL in treatment of GAVE. Random effects model was used to calculate the pooled rates; I2% values and 95% prediction intervals were calculated to assess the heterogeneity.

The results of the study was found to be as follows

• A total of 10-studies (194 patients) were included in the final analysis. The pooled rate of treatment responders with EBL in GAVE was 81% (95% CI, 62.2-91.7) and GAVE recurrence was 15.4% (95% CI, 4.5-41.3).

• The pooled mean number of treatment sessions required was 2.4 (95% CI, 2.2-2.7), and the number of bands used to achieve eradication per patient was 15.1 (95% CI,10.7-19.4).

• The pooled mean difference of pre- to post-treatment Hb was 1.5 (95% CI, 0.9-2.2; p=0.001).

• Pre- to post-treatment units of PRBCs transfused was 1.1 (95% CI, 0.4-1.9; p=0.002); and pre- to post-treatment hospital length of stay was 0.5 (95% CI, 0.1-0.9; p=0.01).

• The pooled rate of overall adverse events was 15.9% (95% CI, 10.4-23.7).

Dr Mohan and team concluded that "Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes in the treatment of GAVE with minimal adverse events. Multicenter RCTs comparing EBL and other modalities as initial therapy are warranted."

For further information: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2021.08.017