Management and outcomes of antithrombotic therapy in endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage.

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GB) is increasingly used for the management of gallbladder disease in patients at high risk for cholecystectomy. These patients often have underlying medical comorbidities requiring anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet therapy. We evaluated the safety, management, and outcomes of EUS-GB in patients being treated with antithrombotic therapy (ATT). We performed a retrospective study of patients undergoing EUS-GB between 2018 to 2023 within Geisinger Health System. Outcomes were analyzed between patients previously on ATT but held for the procedure compared to no ATT. The primary outcomes were bleeding within 48 hours and 30 days. Secondary outcomes included risk of thrombotic events, length of stay (LOS) and 30-day mortality. Of 177 patients undergoing EUS-GB, 118 patients were on ATT. There was a lack of statistical difference for EUS-GB related bleeding for patients on ATT compared to no ATT within 48 hours (0.9% vs 0%, p>0.999) or within 30 days (3.5% vs 0%, p=0.302). Overall, five patients (2.9%) had bleeding related to the EUS-GB procedure. There was no difference between the groups for secondary outcomes: thrombotic events (2.5% vs 3.4%), LOS (7d vs 5d) and 30-day mortality (11% vs 10.2%). Patients undergoing EUS-GB who require ATT did not have any immediate or delayed increased risk of bleeding, thrombotic events, LOS, or mortality, when the medication was appropriately held.