Delayed and Unsuccessful Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography are Associated with Worse Outcomes in Patients with Acute Cholangitis.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Apr 13;
Authors: Khashab MA, Tariq A, Tariq U, Kim K, Ponor L, Lennon AM, Canto MI, Gurakar A, Yu Q, Dunbar K, Hutfless S, Kalloo AN, Singh VK
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Acute ascending cholangitis is usually treated with antibiotics and biliary drainage by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ECRP). We investigated the effects of the timing of ERCP on outcomes of patients with acute cholangitis factors that predict prolonged hospital stays, increased costs of hospitalization, and composite clinical outcomes (death, persistent organ failure, and admission to the intensive care unit). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 90 patients (mean age 60 y, 48% female) admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital from January 1994 to June 2010 who were diagnosed with acute cholangitis and underwent ERCP. A delayed ERCP was defined as one performed more than 72 h after admission. Electronic and paper medical records were reviewed and relevant data was abstracted. RESULTS: ERCP was performed successfully in 92% of the patients, at a mean time period of 38 h after admission (14% of ERCPs were delayed). Factors that were independently associated with prolonged length of hospital stay (top 10%) included unsuccessful ERCP (odds ratio [OR]=52.5;P =.002) and delayed ERCP (OR=19.8;P =.008). Factors associated with increased hospitalization cost (top 10%) included unsuccessful ERCP (OR=33.8;P =.004) and delayed ERCP (OR=11.3;P =.03). Factors associated with composite clinical outcome included age (OR=1.1;P =.01), total level of bilirubin (OR=1.36;P =.002), and delayed ERCP (OR=7.8;P =.04). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed and failed ERCP are associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased costs of hospitalization. Delayed ERCP is associated with composite clinical outcome (death, persistent organ failure, and/or ICU stay). Older age and higher levels of bilirubin are also associated with patients' composite end point.
PMID: 22507875 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]