Cyanoacrylate Glue Versus Absorbable Gelatin Sponge for Gastric Varices

Gastric varices are enlarged veins in the stomach that occur in patients with portal hypertension and can cause serious bleeding. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapy allows direct visualization of the target varix, placement of embolization coils, delivery of an embolic material, and Doppler assessment of blood flow after treatment.

Cyanoacrylate glue combined with coils is an established treatment approach for gastric varices. However, glue injection can be technically challenging and may be associated with complications such as embolization or equipment-related issues. Absorbable gelatin sponge, delivered as a slurry with coils, is an alternative approach that is used in clinical care and may avoid some of the practical limitations of glue. Comparative randomized data between these approaches are limited.

This is a randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, non-inferiority trial comparing endoscopic ultrasound-guided coil embolization with cyanoacrylate glue versus endoscopic ultrasound-guided coil embolization with absorbable gelatin sponge for the treatment of gastric varices. Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio after confirmation of eligibility and informed consent. Randomization will occur intra-procedurally before treatment.

Participants assigned to the cyanoacrylate group will undergo endoscopic ultrasound-guided coil deployment followed by injection of cyanoacrylate glue mixed with Lipiodol. Participants assigned to the absorbable gelatin sponge group will undergo endoscopic ultrasound-guided coil deployment followed by injection of absorbable gelatin sponge slurry. In both groups, Doppler assessment will be used to evaluate blood flow in the target varix after treatment. Repeat coil and/or embolic material injection may be performed at the discretion of the treating endoscopist.

Participants will be monitored after the procedure for complications, including bleeding and embolization. Follow-up includes CT imaging approximately 48 hours after the procedure, clinical and questionnaire-based follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and repeat endoscopic assessment with endoscopic ultrasound at approximately 3 months and 12 months. The primary endpoint is complete obliteration of the target gastric varix, assessed by absence of Doppler flow on follow-up endoscopic ultrasound at 3 months. Secondary and tertiary outcomes include immediate technical success, clinical success, rebleeding, adverse events, hospital admission, ICU admission, transfusion requirements, reintervention, length of stay, procedural technical difficulty, costs, and health-related quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Gastric varices deemed suitable for EUS-guided endoscopic treatment.
• History of suspected gastric variceal bleeding or active gastric variceal bleeding, with treatment intended for secondary prophylaxis.
• Ability to provide informed consent directly or through a substitute decision maker.
• Willingness and ability to undergo clinical follow-up, EUS assessment, and CT imaging.

Exclusion criteria

• Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent directly or through a substitute decision maker.
• No gastric varix present, or gastric varix too small or not amenable to combination therapy.
• Contraindication to therapeutic EUS or endoscopy.
• Contraindication to any study material used in the assigned treatment arm.
• Contraindication to contrast-enhanced CT, if not clinically manageable.
• Inability to complete planned follow-up.
• Pregnancy.
• Any clinical situation in which the treating endoscopist determines that randomization would be unsafe or inappropriate.