Abstract:
Background: Many studies reported significant transient bacteremia after endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection for active gastric variceal bleeding. The explanation for bacteremia was still unclear, whether it was due to bacterial invasion through ruptured gastric variceal mucosa or introduction of bacteria after cyanoacrylate injection. The aim of our study was to determine the risk of bacteremia in patients with gastric varices who underwent elective cyanoacrylate injection. Patients and Methods: Cirrhotic patients who underwent elective endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection for gastric variceal obliteration were included as our target group (n=18), whereas cirrhotic patients who underwent routine endoscopic surveillance were recruited as a control group. (n=17). Blood cultures were taken from all patients at 0 minute (before procedure), 5 minutes and 3 hours after endoscopy. The tip of injected needle was also cultured in the cyanoacrylate group. Results: No bacteremia was detected from the cyanoacrylate group. In the control group, bacteremia was detected from one patient at 5 minutes. Cultures from the tips of needle were positive in 7 of 18 patients (38.9%). (Viridans Streptococcus; n=3, Staphylococcus coagulase negative; n=1, Viridans Streptococcus and group D Streptococcus; n=1, Viridans Streptococcus and Streptococcus agalactiae; n=1, Viridans Streptococcus and Stomatococcus mucilaginosus ; n=1) Conclusion : Cyanoacrylate injection for non bleeding gastric varices is not associated with a higher risk of bacteremia than routine endoscopic surveillance for cirrhosis