Management of Gastric Variceal Bleed by Endoscopic Cyanoacrylate Injection: A Case Series

Background and aims Cyanoacrylate glue (CAG) is the standard of care for gastric varices (GVs) but has serious complications too. The literature is scarce on determining the safe and effective amount of glue before the procedure objectively. Our study aimed to fill this gap. Methods It was an interventional case series, from January to December 2022. Patients with GVs, in whom CAG was injected, were included. Demographic, clinical, and endoscopic data with emphasis on cumulative variceal diameter (CVD, sum of maximum diameter of each varix), the total amount of glue injected (G_Total), outcomes (technical and clinical success), and complications intra- and post-procedural) were noted. Results Among 467, 18 (4%) patients had gastric varices. Glue was injected in six (1%) patients. Five had type 2 gastro-esophageal varices (GOV2) and one had type 1 isolated gastric varix (IGV1). Four had a history of upper GI bleed. Numbers of GVs ranged between 1 and 4, sizes 0.5-2.5 cm, and CVDs between 3.5 and 5.0 cm. G_Total ranged between 2 and 4 ml, the number of aliquots was one to two, and the maximum amount of glue in each aliquot was between 2 and 3 ml. The calculated relationship between CVD and G_Total ranged was CVD minus 0.5 to 1. Clinical and technical success was achieved in all. Two patients had intra-procedural, self-subsiding bleeding, and one patient had severe abdominal pain, which subsided with analgesics. None of them had fatal complications, transfusion requirements, or prolonged hospital stays. Conclusions CVD is a potential determinant factor for the total amount of glue injected during the endotherapy of GVs to achieve favorable clinical and technical outcomes.