Multicenter Prospective Study on the Safety of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures in Antithrombotic Drug Users

Background The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society updated its guidelines for gastroenterological endoscopy in patients undergoing antithrombotic treatment in July 2012. However, the safety of endoscopic procedures in antithrombotic drug users has not been fully investigated. Aims To evaluate the safety of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in antithrombotic drug users. Methods From September 2013 to September 2015, patients who were taking antithrombotic drugs and who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures were prospectively enrolled at five hospitals. Incidences of bleeding and thrombosis during endoscopic procedures were evaluated. Results A total of 270 patients [221 for endoscopic mucosal biopsy and 49 for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)/endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were enrolled. The bleeding rate was 0.9% for endoscopic mucosal biopsy and 22% for EMR/ESD, respectively. The bleeding rate after endoscopic mucosal biopsy was not significantly high, even if antithrombotic drugs were continued (0 vs. 1%, P > 0.99), while it was significantly higher among multiple antithrombotic drug users than single drug users (5.9 vs. 0%, P