title: Use of paclitaxel-eluting balloons for endotherapy of anastomotic strictures following liver transplantation.
abstract: Biliary anastomotic strictures after liver transplantation are a major source of morbidity and graft failure; however, repeated endoscopic therapy has shown variable long-term success rates. Thus the aim of this prospective case series was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using paclitaxel-eluting balloons in 13 patients requiring treatment for symptomatic anastomotic strictures following liver transplantation. Sustained clinical success-defined as no need for further endoscopic intervention for at least 6 months - was achieved in 12 /13 patients (92 %). One, two, and three interventions were required in 9 (69 %), 1, and 2 patients, respectively (mean number of sessions was 1.46). Mean (± SD) bilirubin level dropped from 6.8 (± 4.1) mg/dL to 1.4 (± 0.9) mg/dL. These promising results justify carrying out a randomized comparative trial to confirm this innovative approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany. iyad.kabar@ukmuenster.de
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kabar
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Cicinnati
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beckebaum
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cordesmeyer
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Avsar
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reinecke
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017239:Paclitaxel