Utility of Combined EUS and ERCP Procedures in the Evaluation of Liver Graft Dysfunction

Overview

The purpose of this investigator-initiated study is to determine whether a single-step session that combines endoscopic ultrasound (which may further include liver biopsy and needle-guided cholangiography) with endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can facilitate in the management of liver graft dysfunction. All patients will undergo the same procedural protocol.

Liver graft dysfunction can arise from many disease processes, which include biliary obstruction, rejection, infection and ischemia. Battery of tests, and at times empiric therapy, is necessary to obtain final diagnosis. This results in waste of time and medical resources that can lead to delay in care, which may ultimately translate to increase morbidity and mortality, as well as increase in cost. In this protocol, the investigators propose utilization of interventional endoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of liver graft dysfunction. Use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with possible liver biopsy and cholangiography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in one session may facilitate diagnosis and treatment. All patients enrolled in this protocol will undergo the same procedural protocol. The quality of care metrics in these patients (such as length of stay, cost, mortality, etc), will be compared to that of historical controls.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Outcomes