Risk of Post-Polypectomy Bleeding After Colorectal Endoscopic Mucosal Resection in Patients with Cirrhosis: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of the US Collaborative Network

Introduction: Data on the risk of post-polypectomy bleeding after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in patients with cirrhosis is limited. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the U.S. Collaborative Network to assess post-polypectomy bleeding risk after colorectal EMR in patients with cirrhosis compared to controls. Using one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM), the primary outcome measured was bleeding within 30 days post-EMR. The bleeding risk was further stratified by cirrhosis severity (compensated and decompensated). Results: After PSM, each cohort included 2,381 patients. Patients with cirrhosis had a higher risk of post-polypectomy bleeding (odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.82, p=0.02). However, endoscopic reinterventions for hemostasis were similar between cirrhosis and control cohorts (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.71-2.05, p=0.50). The post-polypectomy bleeding risk was significantly higher in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.12-2.42, p=0.01), while those with compensated cirrhosis showed no increased risk of post-polypectomy bleeding (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.85-1.54, p=0.37). Conclusions: The post-polypectomy bleeding risk was higher in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, while the bleeding risk was not increased in those with compensated disease. Optimizing patients with cirrhosis, especially with decompensated disease, before colorectal EMR and monitoring for post-procedure bleeding remains important. A conservative, supportive approach to managing bleeding in patients with cirrhosis may be as effective as in those without cirrhosis.