Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy In Patients Research Articles

Modifiable Preoperative Risk Factors to Mitigate Postoperative Site Infection Following Pediatric Gastrostomy

PurposeThere are limited studies assessing modifiable preoperative risk factors for pediatric laparoscopic gastrostomy tubes (LGT) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. We sought to evaluate the effect of demographics and surgical/infectious history on the superficial infection rate following gastrostomy tube (GT) placement. MethodsAfter IRB approval, we conducted a single-institution retrospective cohort study from 2015 to 2021 of pediatric patients undergoing LGT or PEG tube. The primary outcome was cellulitis or abscess formation within 30-days and 90-days postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed with t-tests, Chi-squared, and logistic regression(p ≤ 0.05). ResultsThere were 382 patients, with 181 (47%) LGT and 201 (53%) PEGs. LGT patients were younger (5.9 vs. 12.3 months, p < 0.001) and more likely to be admitted to the neonatal or cardiac intensive care unit prior to their GT. There were similar rates of prior surgical intervention (58% vs. 66%, p = 0.29) and previous infection (37% vs. 38%, p = 0.87) in both LGT and PEG patients. Within 30-days postoperatively, LGT patients had a higher superficial infection rate (12% vs. 6%, p = 0.04). On multivariate regression, Black race (Odds Ratio 0.10, p = 0.03) was protective and prior Staphylococcus colonization (OR 2.35, p = 0.04) increased the odds of infection. In those patients colonized with Staphylococcus, 21% developed a superficial site infection compared to 9% in those not colonized (p = 0.01). ConclusionThese data suggest prior Staphylococcus colonization is a significant risk factor for superficial infection following GT. Further work into preoperative decolonization strategies may provide an avenue to decrease the high infection rate in this common pediatric procedure. Level of EvidenceLevel III.

Risk of Bleeding After Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients Using Antithrombotic Drugs.

The rate of using antithrombotic (AT) drugs is frequently high in patients who require percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The aim of this study was to determine whether the risk of bleeding after PEG increases in patients whose AT drugs were discontinued according to the European Society Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines (warfarin for 5d, low molecular weight heparin for 24h, DOAC for 3d, and clopidogrel for 7d). Data from 243 patients, who underwent PEG tube placement and received AT drugs and 206 patients who did not between 2018 and 2021 in our hospital, were evaluated retrospectively. Bleeding was defined as requiring blood transfusion, hematemesis and/or melena, decreased hemoglobin, or bleeding from PEG. A total of 243 (54.1%) patients (121 (49.7%), women, mean age (75.7y) who underwent PEG and received AT drugs, and 206 (45.9%) patients who did not (92 (44.6%), women, mean age (63.15y). The medications and bleeding rates of the patients are given in Table 1. The rate of bleeding in patients using AT medication was significantly higher than that in patients not using medication (Table 2) ( P = 0.007). When the AT drugs were compared among themselves, the bleeding risk did not differ. Bleeding was detected in 10 patients with bleeding from the PEG tube in 4 with melena. Bleeding detected in 14 patients was controlled with adrenaline injections. None of the patients required transfusion or repeat endoscopies. No bleeding-related deaths were reported. Even if patients receiving AT drugs are treated as recommended by international guidelines, it should be kept in mind that bleeding may occur after PEG, and the patients should be followed accordingly.

Utility of Prophylactic Percutaneous Gastrostomy in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy: A Multicenter Analysis.

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) have an elevated incidence of cachexia and malnutrition due to the tumor's location interfering with oral feeding. Concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) can have an emetic effect and cause dysphagia and oral mucositis. Adequate nutrition improves immunity, raises the response to therapy, reduces adverse effects, and improves survival. Numerous studies have suggested the utility of nutritional support from percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in HNC patients. Although PEG is usually considered a safe procedure, it has a mortality rate of 0-2.2% and a risk of other procedure-related complications of 17-40%. Our work intends to evaluate the utility of PEG in patients with locally advanced HNC who underwent CCRT. We performed a cohort study at three institutions. We included patients with HNC who underwent definitive CCRT treatment from January 2013 to December 2022.The study consisted of an observational, descriptive, retrospective analysis of prespecified clinical data. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the data between the PEG group and the non-PEG group. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used forcovariance analysis. Fisher's exact test was used to compare proportional data and Student's t-test was used to assess the differences in continuous data. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. P-values of<0.05 were considered to be indicative of statistical significance. The SPSS Statisticsversion 28.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) was used to perform all statistical evaluations. We identified 90 eligible patients diagnosed with local advanced HNC who had received definitive CCRT with three weekly cycles of cisplatin as follows: 44 with a prophylactic PEG tube and 46 without a prophylactic PEG tube. Most patients were male (84.4%) and 50% of patients were diagnosed with stage IVa HNC at the time of diagnosis. There wasn't an effect of PEG placement on BMI at the end of CCRT after controlling for the effect ofbaseline BMI (F {1.84}=0.065 {p=0.799}).In the study population, BMI was significantly lower after CCRT (21.30 kg/m2 vs. 23.97 kg/m2), t (86)=12.389, p<0.001. In the subgroup with baseline BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (15 patients), 90% of patients with prophylactic PEG were able to complete the three planned cycles of chemotherapy vs. 66.7% in the non-PEG group. Ten patients in the PEG group (22.7%) referredfeeding tube dependency. Patients with dysphagia were 3.2 times more likely to have placed prophylactic PEG (p=0.007). The difference in overall survivaland progression-free survivalbetween the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.57 and p=0.497, respectively). In this study using real-world data, we found a potentially protective effect of PEG in underweight patients with locally advanced HNC performing CCRT in order to complete three cycles of treatment.

Outcomes in Enteral Access Based on Specialty and Approach: A Single-Center Three-Year Experience

IntroductionInterventional radiologic, endoscopic, and surgical approaches are commonly utilized to establish durable enteral access in adult patients. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in nutritional outcomes in a large cohort of patients undergoing enteral access creation. MethodsAdult patients who underwent enteral access procedures by interventional radiologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons between 2018 and 2020 at a single institution were reviewed. Included access types were percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), open or laparoscopic gastrostomy, laparoscopic jejunostomy, and percutaneous gastrostomy (perc-G), percutaneous jejunostomy , or primary gastrojejunostomy. Results912 patients undergoing enteral access cases met the criteria for inclusion. PEGs and perc-Gs were the most common procedures. PEGs had higher Charlson scores (4.5 [3.0-6.0] versus 2.0 [1.0-2.0], P = 0.007) and lower starting albumin (3.0 [2.6-3.4] versus 3.6 [3.5-3.8] g/dL, P < 0.0001). Time to goal feeds (4 [2-6] vs 4 [3-5] d, P = 0.970), delta prealbumin (3.6 [0-6.5] versus 6.2 [2.3-10] mg/L, P = 0.145), time to access removal (160 [60-220] versus 180 [90-300] d, P = 0.998), and enteral access-related complications (19% versus 16%, P = 0.21) between PEG and perc-G were similar and differences were not statistically significant. A greater percent change in prealbumin was noted for perc-G (10 [-3-20] versus 41.7% [11-65], P = 0.002). ConclusionsDespite having higher Charlson scores and worse preoperative nutrition, there is a similar incidence of enteral access-related complications, time to goal feeds, delta prealbumin, or time to access removal between PEG and perc-G patients. Our data suggest that access approach should be made on an individual basis, accounting for anatomy and technical feasibility.

Feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of edoxaban administration through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: 12-months follow up of the ORIGAMI study.

Edoxaban proved to be safe and effective also in fragile patients, but its administration through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has not been previously investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the preliminary safety and efficacy profiles of edoxaban administered via PEG in patients with an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation. ORIGAMI was a prospective, single-arm, observational study (NCT04271293). Patients with PEG and an indication for long-term anticoagulation were prospectively enrolled. Crushed edoxaban at approved doses was administered via PEG. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardio-embolic events consisting of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, or symptomatic deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE). Secondary endpoints were the number of bleeding events and edoxaban plasma concentrations at steady state. We here report the 12-month results. A total of 12 patients were enrolled. The main indication for PEG implantation was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (10/12). The primary endpoint of cardio-embolic events did not occur in any patients at 12 months. All patients were in the therapeutic range of steady-state edoxaban plasma levels. Three minor bleedings were observed, while no major bleedings occurred during the observational period. A total of five patients died. All deaths were from non-cardiovascular causes and were consistent with the natural history of the pre-existing severe disease. Our study suggests that edoxaban administration via PEG is feasible and appears safe and effective in fragile, comorbid patients, resulting in therapeutic plasma concentrations of edoxaban. [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04271293].

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with neurodegenerative diseases

Introduction. In recent years, there has been a clear trend in the use of high-tech treatment methods known in medicine in the provision of palliative care to improve the quality of life of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy.Target. To evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive treatment technologies used in the City Geriatric Medical and Social Centre (St. Petersburg, Russia) to restore full enteral nutrition in incurable patients in the provision of palliative care.Materials and methods. An observational retrospective cohort study based on archival case histories of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy admitted to the Respiratory Support Centre at the City Geriatric Medical and Social Centre (St. Petersburg, Russia) was conducted in 2018–2021.Results and discussion. The most commonly used method of restoring natural enteral nutrition in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy was percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy performed according to the PULL (pullthrough) method according to Gauderer–Ponsky (pulling on itself), and in patients with severe malnutrition, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy according to PUSH technique using introducers. Also in demand was the endoscopic replacement of the gastrostomy tube with a gastrostomy bolus tube. Performing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in difficult clinical conditions (patient position, oropharyngeal paresis, stiffness and contractures in the cervical and upper thoracic spine, impaired mental status) required highly qualified personnel capable of providing full-fledged surgical, anesthesiology and endoscopic care. The nature of postoperative complications made it possible in all cases to achieve their elimination in the early postoperative periods without lethal outcomes.Conclusions. The evolution of methods and methods of providing palliative care corresponds to the general trend in the development of medicine and strives for high-tech, highly informative methods of treatment. With the use of modern methods of specialized treatment, the number of failures in clinical practice is reduced and the professional competence of specialists in the palliative care department is increased. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy, diagnosis of possible early or late complications require the participation of a qualified surgeon, endoscopist and anesthesiologist, as well as the use of the entire range of diagnostic methods possible in a multidisciplinary hospital. The transition to high-tech methods of providing palliative care using modern instrumental techniques requires both legislative and timely budgetary support.

Perkutan Endoskopik Gastrostomi: Tek Merkezli Çalışma

Aim: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common method for patients who cannot be oral-fed. This study aims to evaluate the demographic characteristics, indication of PEG and early ( days) complications of PEG patients performed in our hospital over four years.&#x0D; Material and Method: The study is a retrospective study. This study includes patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy between 2016-2020 in the endoscopy unit and intensive care units in the general surgery clinic of our hospital. The age, gender, comorbidities, length of hospital stay, PEG indications, the day of hospitalization, the complications, if any, and the day the complications developed were recorded on the computer. Complications before 30 days were divided into groups as early complications and those developing after 30 days of late complications.&#x0D; Results: A total of 207 patients the PEG procedure. When PEG indications were examined, it was observed that the most common cause was cerebrovascular events with a rate of 44.93%. Complications were observed in 19 (9.18%) of the patients after the procedure. 68.42% (13) of complications were seen before 30 days. In the evaluation, which was grouped as non-complicated and complicated patients, no significant difference was observed between age, gender, systemic diseases, time to PEG procedure, endoscopic or surgical opening, and mortality rates.&#x0D; Conclusion: Although PEG is a more invasive method compared to other methods in terms of enteral nutrition, it is the most preferred feeding method due to its low complication rate, fast and easy application, and low cost. PEG is recommended for eligible patients who are scheduled for long-term enteral nutrition.

Slow vital capacity as a useful indicator of the prognosis after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Forced vital capacity (FVC) is recommended as a respiratory function test in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, in ALS associated with orofacial palsy, FVC may be an unreliable test. Slow vital capacity (SVC) is an easier and more reliable test even in cases with bulbar symptoms. However, it remains unclear whether respiratory function tests using SVC and FVC are associated with prognosis after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. This study aimed to confirm whether both SVC and FVC are related to prognosis after PEG placement in patients with ALS. We conducted this retrospective observational cohort study of 69 consecutive patients diagnosed with sporadic ALS who underwent PEG placement between July 2007 and February 2020. We analyzed the association with mortality 6 months after PEG placement and evaluated long-term prognosis. Forty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. In cases with decreased SVC (p < .01) and FVC (p < .01), a significant difference was observed in mortality 6 months after PEG placement, with an optimal cut-off of SVC ≤57.4% (sensitivity, 0.828; specificity, 0.867) and FVC ≤57.3% (sensitivity, 0.828; specificity, 0.867). Multivariate analysis showed that onset age ≥ 65 years (p < .05), SVC ≤57.4% (p < .01), and FVC ≤57.3% (p < .01) were associated with survival after PEG placement. SVC, like FVC, is an important prognostic factor after PEG placement in patients with ALS, and there is a possibility that evaluation using SVC can complement respiratory function testing even in cases where the evaluation of FVC is limited.

Outcomes of PEG placement by acute care surgeons compared to those placed by gastroenterology.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are placed by gastroenterologists (GI) and surgeons throughout the country. At Rhode Island Hospital, before July of 2017, all PEGs were placed by GI. In July of 2017, in response to a growing need for PEGs, acute care surgeons (ACS) also began performing PEGs at the bedside in ICUs. The purpose of this study was to review and compare outcomes of PEG tubes placed by ACS and GI. Retrospective chart review of patients who received a PEG placed by ACS or GI at the bedside in any ICU from December 2016 to September 2019. Charts were reviewed for the following outcomes: Success rates of placing PEG, duration of procedure, major complications, and death. Secondary outcomes included discharge disposition, and rates of comfort measures only after PEG. In 2017, 75% of PEGs were placed by GI and 25% surgery. In 2018, 47% were placed by GI and 53% by surgery. In 2019, 33% were placed by GI and 67% by surgery. There was no significant difference in success rates between surgery (146/156 93.6%) and GI (173/185 93.5%) (p 0.97). On average, GI performed the procedure faster than surgery [Median 10 (7-16) min vs 16 (13-21) mins, respectively, p < 0.001]. There were no significant differences between groups in any of the PEG outcomes or complications investigated. Bedside PEG tube placement appears to be a safe procedure in the ICU population. GI and Surgery had nearly identical success rates in placing PEGs. GI performed the procedure faster than surgery. There were no significant differences in the reviewed patient outcomes or complications between PEGs placed by ACS or GI. Of note, when a complication occurred, ACS PEG patients typically were managed in the OR while GI tended to re-PEG patients highlighting a potential difference in management that should be further investigated.

Oral anticoagulants in fragile patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and atrial fibrillation: the ORIGAMI pilot investigation.

Extensive data support the superior safety without any trade-off in efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Whether DOACs may be successfully used to treat complex and fragile patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) remains to be proven. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, anticoagulant effect, and preliminary safety/efficacy profile of edoxaban administered via PEG in patients with an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation. In this prospective, single-arm, pilot study, 12 patients with PEG and guideline-recommended indication for anticoagulation for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were prospectively enrolled. Crushed edoxaban at approved doses was administered via PEG. Quantitative measures of edoxaban's antifactor Xa activity were performed at steady state. Thromboembolic and bleeding events were assessed at one-month follow-up. Steady state edoxaban plasma levels were at therapeutic range in all patients; mean plasma concentration was 208.5 (±78.6) ng/mL. At one month follow-up, none had suffered a thromboembolic event; one developed minor bleeding, and one died from non-cardiovascular death, owing to sudden worsening of a pre-existing underlying severe condition. In this pilot investigation, we report for the first time that crushed edoxaban, administered at approved doses through PEG in fragile and complex patients, is feasible, results in therapeutic edoxaban concentrations, and is apparently effective and safe.

Complications of Gastrostomy Tubes in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) include various malignant tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Due to their anatomical location, HNCs can cause obstruction, odynophagia, or trismus, leading to dysphagia. In addition, this patient group may be vulnerable to treatment side effects both by surgery and oncological treatment, exposing the patients to an even higher risk of malnutrition. The risk of malnourishment is often resolved by applying a feeding gastrostomy tube. The present study aims to identify complication rates after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and open gastrostomy (OG) in patients treated for HNC in a high-volume center. Retrospective cohort study. A retrospective cohort study of all patients treated for a new diagnosis of HNC at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Karolinska University Hospital between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2018 in whom gastrostomy was performed. Regarding tumor location, 165 (56.7%) were in the pharynx, 68 (23.4%) in the oral cavity, 57 (19.6%) in the larynx, and 1 (0.3%) in the nasal cavity. PEG was performed in 240 (82.5%) and OG in 51 (17.5%) patients. The overall complication rate was 28.2%: 64 (26.7%) among PEG patients and 18 (35.3%) among OG patients. The incidence of major complications was 3.1%. Our study confirms that enteral feeding via gastrostomy is a safe method, regardless of the technique used (PEG or OG), with a low rate of major complications and no mortality linked to the procedure. 3 Laryngoscope, 132:1778-1784, 2022.

Investigating factors associated to dysphagia and need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy.

Purpose: In this study we sought to investigate factors associated to dysphagia and subsequent need for percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) usage, in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy.Methods: The records of 123 patients with non-metastatic, stage I-IV head and neck cancer who were submitted to radiation therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression models were used to investigate for associations between the outcomes of interest (grade ≥2 dysphagia and need for [PEG] usage) and potential predictive factors.Results: Mean dose to pharyngeal constrictor muscles (OR=1.08, p=.002), concurrent chemotherapy (OR=3.78, p=0.015) and upper aerodigestive tract malignancies (OR=3.27, p=0.044) were associated with dysphagia grade≥2. A threshold of constrictors mean dose for dysphagia manifestation was also identified at 43 Gy (OR=4.51, p=0.002). Need for PEG use was correlated with definitive treatment (OR=7.03, p=.022), nasopharyngeal (OR=12.62, p=0.003), upper aerodigestive tract (OR=9.12, p=0.007) or occult primary malignancies (OR=10.78, p=0.016).Conclusion: Patients suffering from upper aerodigestive tract malignancies, those with calculated constrictors mean dose >43 Gy, or planned to receive concurrent chemotherapy-radiotherapy should be closely monitored during treatment for dysphagia manifestation. Prophylactic PEG could be considered for patients receiving definitive therapy of the nasopharynx, upper aerodigestive tract or occult primary malignancies.

Handling of drugs for administration by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and enteral nutrition

Introduction: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease. Its symptoms include dysphagia that may make it necessary to place a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for feeding. The administration of drugs by PEG can obstruct it, decrease the effectiveness of treatment, and increase the risk of toxicity by altering the original pharmaceutical form. Objective: to describe and analyze the degree of adequacy of the prescription of drugs administered by PEG in patients with ALS and with enteral nutrition (EN). Material and methods: the prescription of pharmacological treatment for patients with ALS who were admitted for placement of a PEG was reviewed. The degree of adequacy of the prescribed drugs was analyzed according to criteria of loss of efficacy, toxicity, risk for handler, and compatibility with EN by consulting the available scientific evidence. Results: the medical prescriptions of the treatments of 34 patients were reviewed, with a total of 307 medications (median of 9 drugs per patient, range 2-17). Via PEG 267 oral medications (median 8 per patient, range 2-15) were prescribed; 81.65 % were solid forms, and the pharmaceutical form was modified in 43 %, due to the risk of catheter occlusion, toxicity or loss of efficacy, affecting 97 % of the patients. Conclusions: patients with ALS and PEG are at risk of presenting safety problems and loss of treatment efficacy related to alteration of the original pharmaceutical form and the interaction with EN.

PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: 15-YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF A TERTIARY CENTER.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an important option for enteral nutrition for both children and adults. It is considered a safe, effective, and advantageous technique in comparison to other complementary feeding routes. It allows continuous feeding, the feeding of patients with swallowing disorders due to neurological causes or others, and the administration of non-palatable diets or medications, all with low rates of complications and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the main indications and complications of PEG in pediatric patients. In addition, the impact on the nutritional status of patients undergoing PEG was also compared with weight, body mass index (BMI), and height according to references from the World Health Organization. This observational and retrospective study included 152 children and adolescents who underwent PEG between January/2003 and December/2018. Patients up to 18 years of age at the time of the procedure were included. Complications related to the procedure were classified as minor or major. Patients with PEG indication for nutritional supplementation were evaluated for weight gain, height, and BMI, using the Z score at the day of the procedure and six months, 1 year, and 2 years after the procedure. Indications for PEG were: swallowing disorder of neurological cause (67.1%), need for nutritional supplementation (25%), swallowing disorder of mechanical origin (6.6%), and indication of gastric decompression (1.3%). Minor complications occurred in 57.8% of patients and major complications in 9.8% of patients. The traction technique corresponded to 92.1% and puncture to 7.9%. The death rate was 1.3%. Thirty-eight patients had an indication for nutritional supplementation. In these patients, there was a gradual increase in both BMI and weight, reaching statistically significant differences (P=0.0340 and P= 0.0105, respectively). These differences were more evident in chronic renal disease patients. Height did not vary significantly (P=0.543). PEG proved to be an advantageous option as an auxiliary feeding method in pediatric patients. Dysphagia of neurological origin was the main indication followed by the need for nutritional supplementation. PEG has low frequency of major complications and mortality. This study also showed the importance of PEG in patients who need nutritional supplementation, as it enabled patients to move from undernutrition to normal weight ranges.

In Home Caregivers' Experiences With Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Patients: A Qualitative Review.

In home caregivers of patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy face physical, social, and psychological problems. The results of qualitative studies play a key role in determining in home caregivers' percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy-related problems, attitudes, views, and experiences. The aim of this review was to survey the literature to assess the problems faced by in home caregivers of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy patients and identify solutions to these problems. PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were screened using the key words qualitative research, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, enteral nutrition, and mixed method for relevant articles published between 1945 and November 2019. The literature search yielded 446 scholarly articles. Their titles and abstracts were screened for possible inclusion in this review. Fifteen articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The quality of the included qualitative articles were assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Research Checklist, whereas mixed-methods articles were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Five major themes were developed: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube problems, training requirement, health support system, effect on life, and tube necessity. We believe that determining caregivers' physical and psychosocial problems around managing patients' percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes and developing support systems can help solve those problems and improve both patients' and caregivers' quality of life.

Bleeding Risk and Mortality Associated With Uninterrupted Antithrombotic Therapy During Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement.

Antithrombotic therapy is often interrupted before the placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube because of potentially increased risk of hemorrhagic events. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk of bleeding events and overall complication rates after PEG in patients on uninterrupted antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy in a high-volume center. Data regarding demographics, diagnoses, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes pertinent to PEG were collected from 2010 to 2016. Furthermore, data regarding antithrombotic therapy along with the rate of minor or major complications including bleeding associated with this procedure were analyzed. Significant bleeding was defined as postprocedure bleeding from PEG site requiring a blood transfusion and/or surgical/endoscopic intervention. We included 1,613 consecutive PEG procedures in this study, of which 1,540 patients (95.5%) received some form of uninterrupted antithrombotic therapy. Of those patients, 535 (34.7%) were on aspirin, 256 (16.6%) on clopidogrel, and 119 (7.7%) on both aspirin and clopidogrel. Subcutaneous heparin was uninterrupted in 980 (63.6%), intravenous heparin in 34 (2.1%), warfarin in 168 (10.9%), and direct-acting oral anticoagulation in 82 (5.3%) patients who overlapped on multiple drugs. We observed 6 significant bleeding events in the entire cohort (0.39%), and all were in subcutaneous heparin groups either alone or in combination with aspirin. No clinically significant bleeding was noted in patients on uninterrupted aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, or direct-acting oral anticoagulation groups. Only 5 patients (0.31%) had PEG-related mortality. The risk of significant bleeding associated with the PEG placement was minimal in patients on uninterrupted periprocedural antithrombotic therapy.

Effects of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients With Huntington Disease.

To determine the impact of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes in patients with advanced Huntington disease (HD). A retrospective chart review of patients with HD was conducted to assess the rate of pneumonia and pressure ulcer, length of life, changes in weight, and serologic nutritional measures. Surviving and deceased patients with and without PEG tubes were compared using descriptive statistical analysis. One hundred forty-eight records were reviewed (39 patients with PEG tubes). The mean age of patients still alive and diagnosed with HD was 58.3 ± 12.7 years and age at death (n = 62) 57.7 ± 10.3 years. At the time of analysis, the mean duration of HD was 14.2 ± 7 years. Groups were similar in sex, age, and weight at admission. In those deceased, insertion of a PEG tube increased the length of life with HD by 3.6 years (16.2 ± 6.7 vs 13.2 ± 4.9 years). PEG tube placement significantly reduced cholesterol levels, increased the prevalence of skin ulcers and the rate of pneumonia. Insertion of a PEG tube did not significantly change weight or albumin levels. PEG tube placement in advanced HD provided benefit in the length of life, but weight, other nutritional measures, and the rate of pneumonia were either not impacted or worsened with the insertion of a PEG tube. Impact on quality of life needs further study, but providers, patients, and families should consider all options when discussing preferences for interventions. This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with advanced HD, PEG tube placement increases the length of life but has no or negative impacts on nutritional measures.

606 Oral anticoagulants in fragile patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and atrial fibrillation: the Origami study

Abstract Aims Randomized trials support the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), leading to increased use of these compounds. Crushed forms of DOACs have shown to be reliable, but evidence supporting percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) delivery is lacking. PEG is a long-term option for enteral food and drug delivery in patients unable to maintain oral intake, bypassing the risks and disadvantages of parenteral nutrition. We investigate the safety and efficacy of Edoxaban administered via PEG in patients with atrial fibrillation and a clinical indication for a long-term anticoagulation. Methods and results In this prospective, single centre observational study, 12 PEG-treated patients with indication to anticoagulation will receive edoxaban via PEG and will be followed-up to 6 months. Plasma anti-Factor Xa activity and edoxaban concentrations will be assessed. Thromboembolic (ischaemic stroke, systemic embolism, venous thromboembolism) and bleeding events (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) will be recorded at 1 and 6 months. A retrospective analysis of 5 AF cases undergoing PEG-implantation at our Institution, who received edoxaban via PEG, showed plasma anti-FXa levels at steady state of 146 ± 15 ng/ml, without major adverse event at a mean follow-up of 6 months. Conclusion We prospectively investigate PEG-administration of edoxaban in PEG-treated patients requiring long term anticoagulation. Our preliminary retrospective data support this route of DOAC administration.

Attitude and experience of neurologists towards percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: an Egyptian study

BackgroundDysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases. Guidelines recommend gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to nasogastric tube insertion.MethodsNeurology consultants only were included and completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning their practice backgrounds and previous experience with PEG feeding during their practice.ResultsNinety-eight percent stated that they would recommend PEG for patients with prolonged need of nasogastric feeding. However, only 88% actually referred patients to perform PEG, with the cerebrovascular disorders being the most common cases to be referred. The main barriers the surveyed neurologists faced were family resistance and financial reasons (53.5%). Interestingly, younger neurologists practicing for less than 15 years referred patient to perform PEG significantly more frequent than older ones (p = 0.01). About 18% of our sample confirmed the lack of sufficient knowledge about the benefits of PEG feeding, and only 22% previously attended scientific sessions about the benefits and indications of PEG.ConclusionBased on our study, we recommend that PEG should be more encouraged in indicated neurological cases. Scientific sessions targeting neurologists and public awareness about the benefits of PEG and its relatively infrequent complications are highly demanded.

S0601 Risk of Bleeding Following Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

S0601 Risk of Bleeding Following Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy