Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart Transplant

ABSTRACT Introduction Patients undergoing evaluation for a heart transplant are frequently on inotropic medications or mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, which places them at a higher risk for anesthesia‐related complications. These patients often require colonoscopies for bleeding or scr...

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Main Authors: Zaid Ansari, Akram Ahmad, Osama Sharjeel Khan, Vuha Reddi, Fernando Castro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:JGH Open
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/jgh3.70090
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author Zaid Ansari
Akram Ahmad
Osama Sharjeel Khan
Vuha Reddi
Fernando Castro
author_facet Zaid Ansari
Akram Ahmad
Osama Sharjeel Khan
Vuha Reddi
Fernando Castro
author_sort Zaid Ansari
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction Patients undergoing evaluation for a heart transplant are frequently on inotropic medications or mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, which places them at a higher risk for anesthesia‐related complications. These patients often require colonoscopies for bleeding or screening purposes, but there are limited data on the safety and outcomes of colonoscopy in this setting. Methods This is a retrospective, two‐center study between the years 2015 and 2021 of patients with heart failure who subsequently underwent a heart transplant. To be included in the study, patients were required to be on advanced heart failure therapies at the time of colonoscopy. Advanced heart failure therapies were defined as requiring inotropes (milrinone or dobutamine), vasopressors (norepinephrine or vasopressin), or MCS such as an impella, left ventricular assist device (LVAD), intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP), or extra‐corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Indications for colonoscopy, adequacy of bowel preparation, and complications were reported. Results A total of 92 patients were included in the study. The most common indication was colon cancer screening (67%), and the remainder were performed due to gastrointestinal bleeding. An inadequate bowel preparation was reported on 20% of patients, but the cecum was reached in all of them. There was no association between the inadequacy of bowel preparation and the presence of MCS (20% vs. 17%, p value 0.67). In colonoscopies performed for screening, 8% (5/62) of patients were found to have an advanced adenoma. In colonoscopies performed for bleeding, 17% (5/30) had a source that required therapeutic intervention and use of hemostatic clips was the preferred modality. Only four patients had a complication of bleeding requiring clips after polypectomy during the index procedure, with no anesthesia‐related adverse events (such as hypotension, arrhythmias, or cardiac arrest) or addition of inotropes, vasopressors, or MCS. Discussion Colonoscopy in patients on advanced heart failure therapies is acceptable with not only a low rate of complications but also a high rate of inadequate bowel preparation.
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spelling doaj-art-bbd350551de84dc78c1bf75d985070322025-01-28T09:24:32ZengWileyJGH Open2397-90702025-01-0191n/an/a10.1002/jgh3.70090Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart TransplantZaid Ansari0Akram Ahmad1Osama Sharjeel Khan2Vuha Reddi3Fernando Castro4Department of Gastroenterology Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida USADepartment of Gastroenterology Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida USADepartment of Gastroenterology Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida USADepartment of Cardiology Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida USADepartment of Gastroenterology Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida USAABSTRACT Introduction Patients undergoing evaluation for a heart transplant are frequently on inotropic medications or mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, which places them at a higher risk for anesthesia‐related complications. These patients often require colonoscopies for bleeding or screening purposes, but there are limited data on the safety and outcomes of colonoscopy in this setting. Methods This is a retrospective, two‐center study between the years 2015 and 2021 of patients with heart failure who subsequently underwent a heart transplant. To be included in the study, patients were required to be on advanced heart failure therapies at the time of colonoscopy. Advanced heart failure therapies were defined as requiring inotropes (milrinone or dobutamine), vasopressors (norepinephrine or vasopressin), or MCS such as an impella, left ventricular assist device (LVAD), intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP), or extra‐corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Indications for colonoscopy, adequacy of bowel preparation, and complications were reported. Results A total of 92 patients were included in the study. The most common indication was colon cancer screening (67%), and the remainder were performed due to gastrointestinal bleeding. An inadequate bowel preparation was reported on 20% of patients, but the cecum was reached in all of them. There was no association between the inadequacy of bowel preparation and the presence of MCS (20% vs. 17%, p value 0.67). In colonoscopies performed for screening, 8% (5/62) of patients were found to have an advanced adenoma. In colonoscopies performed for bleeding, 17% (5/30) had a source that required therapeutic intervention and use of hemostatic clips was the preferred modality. Only four patients had a complication of bleeding requiring clips after polypectomy during the index procedure, with no anesthesia‐related adverse events (such as hypotension, arrhythmias, or cardiac arrest) or addition of inotropes, vasopressors, or MCS. Discussion Colonoscopy in patients on advanced heart failure therapies is acceptable with not only a low rate of complications but also a high rate of inadequate bowel preparation.https://doi.org/10.1002/jgh3.70090colonoscopydevicesheart failureheart transplantsafety
spellingShingle Zaid Ansari
Akram Ahmad
Osama Sharjeel Khan
Vuha Reddi
Fernando Castro
Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart Transplant
JGH Open
colonoscopy
devices
heart failure
heart transplant
safety
title Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart Transplant
title_full Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart Transplant
title_fullStr Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart Transplant
title_full_unstemmed Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart Transplant
title_short Safety of Colonoscopies in Patients on Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Who Received a Heart Transplant
title_sort safety of colonoscopies in patients on advanced heart failure therapies who received a heart transplant
topic colonoscopy
devices
heart failure
heart transplant
safety
url https://doi.org/10.1002/jgh3.70090
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