Clinical Trial: Prophylactic Elective Clipping of Colonic Diverticula

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Prophylactic Elective Clipping of Colonic Diverticula in Patients Who Have Had Sustained Lower Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage

Brief Summary:

Diverticular bleeding is the most common cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in Western populations. Although self-limited in 85% of cases, some patients may require hospitalization with blood transfusion and emergent intervention, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Up to 25% of patients with an initial bleeding episode will have subsequent episodes.

Diverticula form at weak points along the colon wall, where the vasa recta enter the circular muscle layer of the colon. Diverticular bleeding is attributed to thinning of the blood vessels as they cross over the dome of a diverticulum. Endoscopic clipping of actively bleeding colonic diverticula has been recognized as a safe and effective treatment for acute LGIB since the mid1990s. Patients selected would have had previous colonoscopy to exclude other causes of bleeding (e.g. angiodysplasia, colorectal cancer).

The investigators propose prophylactic elective endoscopic diverticular clipping in patients who have had at least 1 episode of acute LGIB requiring hospitalization. This would involve applying endoscopic clips to the base of every diverticula in a patient's colon, such that any bleeding source would effectively be excluded. The investigators would later reevaluate patients for colonoscopic appearance of diverticula to assess their diverticular disease.

The investigators hypothesize that patients undergoing endoscopic diverticular clipping will not have repeat episodes of bleeding.

Detailed Summary:

1.0 BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESES

The investigators aim to prophylactically clip all colonic diverticula in patients who have experienced at least 1 episode of diverticular bleeding requiring hospitalization, but without definitive procedure (i.e., total colectomy or localization with embolization or clipping). The investigators' objective is to prevent future episodes of colonic bleeding from the diverticula, so as to avoid morbidity and possible mortality.

The investigators hypothesize that those patients undergoing secondary prophylaxis through diverticular clipping will experience no further episodes of diverticular bleeding.

2.0 OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE

Diverticular bleeding is the most common cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in Western populations. Although self-limited in 85% of cases, some patients may require hospitalization with blood transfusion and emergent intervention, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Up to 25% of patients with an initial bleeding episode will have subsequent episodes.

Diverticula form at weak points along the colon wall, where the vasa recta enter the circular muscle layer of the colon. Diverticular bleeding is attributed to thinning of the blood vessels as they cross over the dome of a diverticulum. Endoscopic clipping of actively bleeding colonic diverticula has been recognized as a safe and effective treatment for acute LGIB since the mid-1990s. Patients selected would have had previous colonoscopy to exclude other causes of bleeding (e.g. angiodysplasia, colorectal cancer).

The investigators propose prophylactic elective endoscopic diverticular clipping in
Sponsor: King's College Hospital NHS Trust

Current Primary Outcome: The primary outcome will be episodes of recurrent bleeding requiring hospitalization. [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: King's College Hospital NHS Trust

Dates:
Date Received: March 20, 2014
Date Started: March 2016
Date Completion: May 2018
Last Updated: April 7, 2016
Last Verified: April 2016