Pros and cons of Danis stent application in esophageal bleeding

Aim. A critical analysis of world clinical experience of endoscopic hemostasis with self-expanding nitinol Danis stents application in acute bleeding from esophageal varices.

Methods. Literature data of last 10 years about self-expanding nitinol Danis stents application at the peak of esophageal bleeding or in high risk of its recurrence were analyzed.

Results. The advantages of Danis stent include minimal injury, good tolerance by the patient, providing physiological drainage of saliva and the possibility of fluid and food intake through the mouth, possibility of a repeated endoscopic inspection of the esophagus and stomach after the application of the stent, reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia, the impossibility of removal or displacement by the patient in agitation. According to most authors, Danis stent allows saving time to get ready for safe transjugular intrahepatic portocaval shunt (TIPS), surgical intervention or liver transplantation. This time should be used for performing all procedures necessary to stabilize the patient’s condition and clarify the nature of the existing pathology. Disadvantages include high risk of migration from the esophagus into the stomach with loss of its plugging function, limitation for treatment of only esophageal varices, development of small erosions or ulcers on the mucous membrane of the esophagus after removal of the stent. When Danis stent was used as a final method of treatment in patients who do not fit for TIPS or liver transplant, the mortality rate reached 50%.

Conclusion. To date, it is not yet clarified whether endoscopic hemostasis with self-expanding nitinol Danis stents should be firmly used in the treatment algorithm of patients with variceal bleeding; confirmation of initial clinical results in further comparative randomized controlled trials is necessary.