The endoscopic ultrasound probe findings in prediction of esophageal variceal recurrence after endoscopic variceal eradication therapies in cirrhotic patients: a cohort prospective study

BACKGROUND: The recurrence of esophageal varices remains high in patients with hepatic portal hypertension after the endoscopic esophageal variceal eradication therapies, including endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL), injection sclerotherapy (EIS) or EVL plus EIS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endoscopic ultrasound probe examinations (EUP) findings in the prediction of recurrence following esophageal variceal eradication in a prospective cohort. METHODS: A total of 206 cirrhotic portal hypertension patients with esophageal variceal eradication, who underwent endoscopic variceal therapy (EVL or EIS or EVL plus EIS) were initially enrolled. All patients were scheduled for a follow-up every 6 months for up to 3 years. EUP was performed to evaluate peri-esophageal collateral veins (peri-ECVs), perforating veins (PFV) and para-esophageal collateral veins (para-ECVs). In addition, computed tomography (CT) were conducted to detect portal vein diameter, portal vein embolus, and major portosystemic collateral shunts. The relationship between esophageal variceal recurrence and EUP findings were analyzed. RESULTS: We found that as high as 93.5% of patients developed esophageal variceal recurrence in the 3-year follow-up. The time of esophageal variceal recurrence after variceal eradication was 13.4 months (13.4 ± 9.2 months). Furthermore, the median time of recurrence in patients who were undertaken EVL,EIS and EVL plus EIS was 10, 13 and 12 months, respectively. We identified that the risk factors, including EVL (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08–0.71, p < 0.01), Child-Pugh score (OR 3.32,95% CI 1.31–35.35, p < 0.05), large peri-ECVs (OR 4.56, 95% CI 2.17–9.58, p < 0.0001), and existence of PFV (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.44–3.16, p < 0.001), were significantly associated with the recurrence of esophageal varices. The peri-ECVs and PFV showed better ability to predict esophageal variceal recurrence. When cut-off value of peri-ECVs diameter was 3.5 mm, the specificity of prediction 1-year variceal recurrence was 86% and the sensitivity was 45%. CONCLUSIONS: The EUP appears to be very effective, convenient and economical examinations to predict esophageal varices recurrence after variceal eradication by endoscopic therapies. The high Child-pugh score, large peri-ECVs, and PFV are independent risk factors related to esophageal varices recurrence.