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Background/Aims: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often performed therapeutically, and antithrombotic treatment is required for at least 12 months after stent implantation. However, the development of post-PCI upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) increases morbidity and mortality. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for UGIB in Korean patients within 1 year after PCI. Methods: The medical records of 3,541 patients who had undergone PCI between January 2006 and June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. We identified 40 cases of UGIB. We analyzed the incidence and clinical risk factors associated with UGIB occurring within 1 year after PCI by comparing the results for each case to matched controls. The propensity score matching method using age and sex was utilized. Results: UGIB occurred in 40 patients (1.1%). Two independent risk factors for UGIB were a history of peptic ulcer disease (odds ratio [OR], 12.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.70 to 59.66; p=0.001) and the use of anticoagulants (OR, 7.76; 95% CI, 2.10 to 28.66; p=0.002). Conclusions: UGIB after PCI occurred at a rate of 1.1% in the study population. Clinicians must remain vigilant for the possibility of UGIB after PCI and should consider performing timely endoscopy in patients who have undergone PCI and are suspected of having an UGIB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) has been performed as an adjunct to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) during radiocontrast cholangiography (RC). Radiation exposure during RC poses a health risk to both patients and examiners. We evaluated the feasibility of IDUS without RC in various extrahepatic biliary diseases. Methods: IDUS was performed with the insertion of an IDUS probe from the papilla of Vater to the confluent portion of the common hepatic duct without fluoroscopy. The technical success rate and procedure-related complications were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Wire-guided IDUS without RC was performed in 105 patients. The mean age was 66.5 years, and 50 (47.6%) were male. The IDUS diagnoses included choledocholithiasis (73, 69.5%), benign biliary stricture (11, 10.5%), choledocholithiasis with biliary pancreatitis (9, 8.6%), bile duct cancer (5, 4.8%), pancreatic cancer (1, 0.9%), and others (6, 5.7%). After IDUS, 66 (62.8%) underwent stone removal, 19 (18.1%) underwent biliary drainage, and 7 (6.6%) underwent brush cytology and biopsy. No significant complications such as perforation or severe pancreatitis occurred. Conclusions: IDUS without RC was a feasible and safe approach in patients with various extrahepatic biliary diseases. We anticipate a potentially important role of IDUS in various ERC procedures because it lacks the hazards of RC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is technically challenging in patients with altered gastrointestinal (GI) anatomy. We evaluated the feasibility of cap-assisted ERCP in patients with altered GI anatomy. Methods: The outcome of ERCP procedures (n=136) was analyzed in 78 patients with Billroth II (B-II) gastrectomy (n=72), Roux-en-Y total gastrectomy (n=4), and hepaticoduodenostomy (n=2). The intubation rate for reaching the papilla of Vater (POV), deep biliary cannulation rate, therapeutic interventions and procedure-related complications were analyzed. All of the procedures were conducted using a cap-fitted forward-viewing endoscope. Results: The rate of access to the POV was 97.1% (132/136). In cases with successful access, selective biliary cannulation was achieved in 98.5% (130/132) of the patients. The successful biliary cannulation rates were 100% (125/125) for B-II gastrectomy, 50% (2/4) for Roux-en-Y gastrectomy and 100% (3/3) for hepaticoduodenostomy. After selective biliary cannulation, therapeutic interventions, including stone extraction (n=57), sphincterotomy (n=54), stent placement (n=37), nasobiliary drainage (n=20), endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (n=7) and mechanical lithotripsy (n=15), were performed successfully. The procedure-related complication rate was 8.8% (12/136), including immediate bleeding (5.9%, 8/136), pancreatitis (2.2%, 3/136), and perforation (0.7%, 1/136). There were no procedure-related deaths. Conclusions: Cap-assisted ERCP is efficient and safe in patients with altered GI anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered a high-risk procedure in patients with previous acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, clinical studies are rare in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of ERCP in patients with previous ACS. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with previous ACS who underwent ERCP between January 2007 and August 2012. The clinical characteristics, ERCP diagnoses, treatment results, and complications were analyzed. Results: Fifty patients underwent ERCP an average of 41.6 months after ACS. The most common indication for ERCP was calculous cholangitis. After deep biliary cannulation, endoscopic sphincterotomy, biliary stone removal and endoscopic biliary drainage were successfully performed. Immediate postsphincterotomy bleeding occurred in seven patients, which was successfully controlled using endoscopic therapy. Elevation of cardiac troponin I levels were observed in three patients (6%) before ERCP, and all of these patients were diagnosed with pancreatobiliary disease combined with recurrent ACS, which was treated with coronary artery stent insertion (n=2) and balloon angioplasty (n=1). Conclusions: Therapeutic ERCP is effective and safe in patients with previous ACS. Cardiac troponin I elevation should be considered a warning sign for recurrent ACS in patients who undergo ERCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The use of proton pump inhibitors or misoprostol is known to prevent the gastrointestinal complications of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Rebamipide is known to increase the mucosal generation of prostaglandins and to eliminate free oxygen radicals, thus enhancing the protective function of the gastric mucosa. However, it is unknown whether rebamipide plays a role in preventing NSAID-induced gastropathy. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of rebamipide compared to misoprostol in preventing NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complications in patients requiring continuous NSAID treatment. Methods: We studied 479 patients who required continuous NSAID treatment. The patients were randomly assigned to groups that received 100 mg of rebamipide three times per day or 200 μ g of misoprostol three times per day for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint of the analysis was the occurrence rate of gastric ulcers, as determined by endoscopy after 12 weeks of therapy. Results: Of the 479 patients in the study, 242 received rebamipide, and 237 received misoprostol. Ultimately, 44 patients (18.6%) withdrew from the misoprostol group and 25 patients (10.3%) withdrew from the rebamipide group. There was a significant difference in withdrawal rate between the two groups (p=0.0103). The per protocol analysis set was not valid because of the dropout rate of the misoprostol group; thus, the intention to treat (ITT) analysis set is the main set for the efficacy analysis in this study. After 12 weeks, the occurrence rate of gastric ulcers was similar in the rebamipide and misoprostol groups (20.3% vs 21.9%, p=0.6497) according to ITT analysis. In addition, the therapeutic failure rate was similar in the rebamipide and misoprostol groups (13.6% vs 13.1%, p=0.8580). The total severity score of the gastrointestinal symptoms was significantly lower in the rebamipide group than in the misoprostol group (p=0.0002). The amount of antacid used was significantly lower in the rebamipide group than in the misoprostol group (p=0.0258). Conclusions: Rebamipide can prevent gastric ulcers when used with NSAIDs and can decrease the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with NSAID administration. When the possibility of poor compliance and the potential adverse effects of misoprostol are considered, rebamipide appears to be a clinically effective and safe alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Synchronous/metachronous gastric epithelial neoplasias (GENs) in the remaining lesion can develop at sites other than the site of endoscopic resection. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the predictive value of serum pepsinogen for detecting multiple GENs in patients who underwent endoscopic resection. Methods: In total, 228 patients with GEN who underwent endoscopic resection and blood collection for pepsinogen I and II determination were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean period of endoscopic follow-up was 748.8±34.7 days. Synchronous GENs developed in 46 of 228 (20.1%) and metachronous GENs in 27 of 228 (10.6%) patients during the follow-up period. Multiple GENs were associated with the presence of pepsinogen I <30 ng/mL (p<0.001). Synchronous GENs were associated with the presence of pepsinogen I <30 ng/mL (p<0.001). Conclusions: Low pepsinogen I levels predict multiple GENs after endoscopic resection, especially synchronous GENs. Cautious endoscopic examination prior to endoscopic resection to detect multiple GENs should be performed for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the primary catechin in green tea, has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. The aim of the current study was to characterize the impact of EGCG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced innate signaling in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) isolated from ICR mice. Methods: The effect of EGCG on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results: EGCG inhibited accumulation of LPS-induced IL-12p40, IL-6, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA in BMMs. EGCG blocked LPS-induced IκBα degradation and RelA nuclear translocation. EGCG blocked the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 was inhibited by EGCG. U0126 (an inhibitor of MEK- 1/2) suppressed the LPS-induced IL-12p40, IL-6, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA accumulation in BMMs. Conclusions: These results indicate that EGCG may prevent LPSinduced pro-inflammatory gene expression through blocking NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in BMMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic cough. The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of multichannel intraluminal impedance combined with pH monitoring (MII/pH monitoring) in patients with suspected symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to assess the correlation between GER symptoms and reflux nature. Methods: Seventy patients with suspected symptoms of GERD (such as heartburn, acid regurgitation, noncardiac chest pain, globus and chronic cough) were enrolled. All patients were asked to discontinue medications that would influence esophageal motor function and gastric acid secretion at least one week ago. All subjects underwent MII/pH monitoring. Results: Forty-five patients (64.3%) were diagnosed with GERD. Among these patients, eleven patients (15.7%) had pathologic acid reflux by pH data and thirty-four patients (48.6%) had pathologic bolus exposure by impedance. Subjects with chronic cough had a higher De- Meester score (p=0.009), percentage of acid exposure time (p=0.007), acid bolus exposure % time (p=0.027), distal acid reflux episodes (p=0.015) and proximal acid reflux episodes (p=0.030) than subjects without chronic cough. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the impedance monitoring enhanced diagnostic sensitivity than pH-monitoring alone by 48.6%. In addition, reflux episodes at the distal and proximal esophagus were noted to be important factors associated with chronic cough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection, a less invasive treatment modality, for type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Methods From January 2004 to December 2017 were included in this study. All patients had undergone endoscopic mucosal resection for the lesions and histologically confirmed to NET. Results The median age was 57.2 years (range, 44 to 70 years) with 12 females (63.2%). NETs were detected in 13 patients as single and multifocal in six patients (range, 3 to 9). Endoscopic resection was performed to 44 NETs in 19 patients. Mean diameter of 44 NETs was 7.4±2.9 mm. The most common tumor location of gastric NETs was body (90.9%), followed by fundus (6.8%) and antrum (2.2%). Histologic grade of NETs were grade 1 (95.5%) and grade 2 (4.5%). EUS was performed in 12 patients (63.2%). EUS showed hypoechoic (50%) and homogeneous (91.7%) was most common finding. Second layer (66.7%) was most common involved layer, followed by third layer (25%) and first layer (8.3%). Cap-assisted EMRs were performed for 10 (22.7%), EMRs for 27 (61.4%) and EMRs after ligation for seven NETs (15.9%). En-bloc resection was performed in 43 NETs (97.7%). R0 resection was performed in 35 NETs (79.5%). Regular follow-up duodenoscopy after 1 year from endoscopic resection was performed in 14 patients (68.4%). Median follow-up duration was 36.2 months (range, 23 to 118.2 months). Recurrence was observed in three patients (10%). One patient recurred from solitary tumor (10%) and two patients recurred from multicentric tumor (50%). Conclusions Endoscopic mucosal resection is considered a safe and effective treatment option for type 1 gastric NET. Multicentric tumor could be a risk factor of recurrence of gastric NET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims Gastric ectopic pancreas is a benign tumor. But there are some limitations to distinguish ectopic pancreas from malignant tumor without histologic confirmation. We analyzed endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features of Submucosal tumor diagnosed as ectopic pancreas after endoscopic resection. Methods Thirty-one patients who were diagnosed gastric ectopic pancreas by histopathology were included in this study (from January 2004 to July 2018). All of them underwent EUS and endoscopic resection: endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection. Results Seventeen patients (54.8%) were female, with a median age of 41.1 years (range, 14 to 74 years). Most commonly, the lesions were localized in antrum (n=26, 83.9%). Before histologic confirmation, In EUS finding, most commonly involved layer were muscularis mucosae (51.5%) and submucosal layer (51.5%). Mean size was 10.6 mm (range, 7 to 15 mm). Mixed echogenicity (61.3%), heterogenous pattern (77.4%), and indistinct border (54.8%) was commonly observed. Calcification (12.9%), anechoic duct-like structure (32.3%), and thickening of muscularis propria (more than twice than normal) (41.9%) were observed in some patients. Endoscopic mucosal resection (41.9%) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (58.1%) were performed. En-bloc rate was 69.2% and 88.9% respectively. Conclusions EUS can help identify the features of the ectopic pancreas. For complete ablation, endoscopic submucosal dissection may be better than endoscopic mucosal resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, and the benefit of lipase supplementation before fatty meal to relieve its symptoms. Topics discussed by the author include symptoms and causes of dyspepsia, the effect of fatty meals ingestion on FD symptoms, and treatment of FD.