Gastrointestinal Interventions

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GI Bleed & Portal Hypertension - Stop Leaks, Ease Pressure

GI Bleeding (Non-Variceal):

  • Diagnosis: CTA first, then DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) for active bleed localization.
  • Intervention: Trans-arterial Embolization (TAE).
    • Indications: Failed endoscopy, high-risk stigmata (e.g., active spurting).
    • Agents: Coils, Gelfoam, PVA particles, N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA).
    • Complications: Bowel ischemia, non-target embolization, rebleed, access site issues.
  • Image: GDA pseudoaneurysm embolization angiogram

Portal Hypertension & TIPS:

  • TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt): Creates shunt (hepatic vein to portal vein).
    • Goal: Reduce portal pressure; target Portosystemic Gradient ($PSG = PVP - IVCP$) <12 mmHg.
    • Indications: Refractory variceal bleed, refractory ascites/hepatic hydrothorax.
    • Contraindications (Absolute): Severe heart failure (↑RAP), uncontrolled hepatic encephalopathy (Grade III-IV), active systemic infection, severe pulmonary HTN (>45 mmHg mPAP).
    • Complications: Hepatic encephalopathy (most common, ~30%), shunt stenosis/occlusion, heart failure. 📌 Mnemonic: SHENT (Stenosis, Heart failure, Encephalopathy, New liver failure, Thrombosis).
  • Image: image

⭐ > BRTO (Balloon-occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration) is preferred for gastric varices with a gastrorenal shunt, while TIPS is for diffuse portal hypertension.

Biliary & Enteric Interventions - Unblock Pathways, Restore Flow

Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD):

  • Indications: Obstructive jaundice (e.g., bilirubin >5-10 mg/dL), acute cholangitis, biliary leaks/fistulas, pre-operative decompression.
  • Technique: Ultrasound/fluoroscopy-guided transhepatic puncture of bile duct, catheter placement.
  • Drainage Options:
    • External drainage catheter.
    • Internal-external drainage catheter.
    • Internal stent (plastic or metallic).

Biliary Stent Comparison:

FeaturePlastic StentsMetallic Stents (SEMS)
MaterialPolyethylene, TeflonNitinol, Stainless steel
DiameterSmaller (e.g., 7-12 Fr)Larger (e.g., 8-10 mm lumen)
PatencyShorter (3-6 months)Longer (6-12+ months)
IndicationBenign strictures, short-term useMalignant strictures, longer-term
CostLowerHigher
RemovabilityEasily removable/exchangeableCovered SEMS: Yes; Uncovered: No

GI Tract Stenting (Esophageal, Duodenal, Colonic):

  • Indications: Palliation of malignant obstruction (dysphagia, gastric outlet obstruction, colonic obstruction); selected benign strictures.
  • Types: Self-Expanding Metallic Stents (SEMS) - covered (prevents tumor ingrowth, allows removal) or uncovered (better anchoring, embeds into wall).
  • Complications: Migration, occlusion (tumor, food), perforation, bleeding, pain.

Percutaneous Gastrostomy (PG) / Jejunostomy (PJ):

  • Indications: Long-term enteral feeding (>4-6 weeks), gastric decompression.
  • Techniques: Ultrasound/fluoroscopy-guided puncture; Seldinger or "push/pull" methods.
  • Contraindications: Uncorrectable coagulopathy, massive ascites, overlying bowel, active gastric/jejunal disease at site.

Internal-external biliary drainage tube placement

Flowchart: Malignant Biliary Obstruction Management

GI Tumors & Abscesses - Target & Drain Precisely

  • Transarterial Therapies (HCC/Liver Mets):

    • TACE (Transarterial Chemoembolization): Uses chemotherapy (e.g., Doxorubicin, Cisplatin) + embolic agents for unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases. Primarily palliative or bridging to transplant.
    • TARE/SIRT (Transarterial Radioembolization): Uses Y-90 microspheres for internal radiation. For HCC/mets; can be used for downstaging or in patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

    ⭐ TARE (Y-90) delivers radiation directly to the tumor, often better tolerated than TACE in patients with borderline liver function or portal vein thrombosis.

    FeatureTACETARE/SIRT
    AgentChemo (Doxorubicin) + EmbolicY-90 (Radiation)
    Primary GoalCytotoxicity + IschemiaLocalized Radiotherapy
    Child-PughBest: A/B; Contra: CTolerates borderline function better
    PVTRelative contraindicationOften feasible
    Tumor Burden LimitAvoid if >50-70% liver involvementCan treat higher burden if segmental
  • Tumor Ablation (RFA/MWA): For unresectable liver, kidney, lung tumors in non-surgical candidates.

    • RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation): Best for tumors <3 cm.
    • MWA (Microwave Ablation): For larger tumors (up to 5-6 cm), faster ablation, less heat-sink effect near vessels.
  • Percutaneous Abscess Drainage:

    • Indications: Intra-abdominal/pelvic abscesses, symptomatic collections.
    • Guidance: Ultrasound (US) or CT. Catheters placed using Seldinger/Trocar techniques.
    • Success Rate: Typically >80-90%.

HCC treatment algorithm including DSM-TACE

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • TIPS creation is vital for refractory variceal bleeding/ascites; hepatic encephalopathy is a key risk.
  • PTBD drains obstructed biliary systems if ERCP fails; watch for sepsis, bleeding.
  • Angioembolization is crucial for acute arterial GI bleeds unresponsive to endoscopic control.
  • Thermal ablation (RFA/MWA) effectively treats small primary/metastatic liver tumors.
  • TACE/TARE (SIRT) are standard palliative options for unresectable HCC.
  • Esophageal stenting relieves dysphagia from malignant esophageal strictures.

Practice Questions: Gastrointestinal Interventions

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What is the next best step for a 22-year-old with a hepatic hemangioma on ultrasound?

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Flashcards: Gastrointestinal Interventions

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The _____ cyst is a contraindication for PAIR.*other contraindications?

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The _____ cyst is a contraindication for PAIR.*other contraindications?

calcified

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