News Release

ASGE issues updated guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis for gastrointestinal endoscopy

Guidelines no longer recommend antibiotic prophylaxis before endoscopic procedures solely to prevent infective endocarditis

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

OAK BROOK, Ill. – May 13, 2008 – The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has issued updated guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy based on the American Heart Association’s (AHA) recently revised guidelines for prophylaxis of infective endocarditis (IE). For endoscopic practice, the administration of prophylactic antibiotics solely to prevent IE is not recommended for patients who undergo GI-tract procedures. The updated ASGE guidelines reflect that change. The guidelines appear in the May issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the ASGE.

The purpose of antibiotic prophylaxis during GI endoscopy is to reduce the risk of significant endogenous infectious complications. The guidelines, prepared by the ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, note that clinically significant infections after endoscopic procedures are extremely rare. Bacteria may enter into the bloodstream during an endoscopy for a variety of reasons including microscopic tears in the bowel related to the procedure. Endoscopy-related bacteremia carries a small risk of localization of infection in remote tissues (i.e., infective endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the heart cavities and connective tissue). An endoscopy may also result in local infections in which a typically sterile space or tissue is breached and contaminated by an endoscopic accessory or by contrast injection.

“Clinically significant infections from an endoscopic procedure are extremely rare. Despite an estimated 14.2 million colonoscopies and 2.8 million flexible sigmoidoscopies, and perhaps as many upper endoscopies, performed in the United States each year, only approximately 15 cases of IE have been reported, with a temporal association with an endoscopic procedure,” said Todd H. Baron, MD, FASGE, chair of the ASGE Standards of Practice Committee. “There are no data that demonstrate a causal link between endoscopic procedures and IE. Similarly, there are no data that demonstrate that antibiotic prophylaxis before endoscopic procedures protects against IE. Based on the AHA’s new recommendations, we have updated our guidelines and no longer recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for GI endoscopic procedures solely to prevent IE.”

Other situations where antibiotic prophylaxis is not warranted include prevention of septic arthritis in patients with prosthetic joints, prevention of graft or device infection in patients with vascular grafts or other nonvalvular cardiovascular devices, and fine needle aspiration of solid lesions along the upper GI tract.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTION OF INFECTIONS OTHER THAN IE

Antibiotic prophylaxis may be useful for the prevention of infection related to some endoscopic procedures, before placement of prosthetic devices, and in specific clinical scenarios. Examples of these special situations are prevention of cholangitis after ERCP with incomplete drainage of bile duct obstruction, prevention of pancreatic cyst infection after fine needle aspirate at endoscopic ultrasound or after injection of contrast at ERCP, and prior to placement of a percutaneous feeding tube placement.

ASGE Guidelines

“Antibiotic Prophylaxis for GI Endoscopy” can be accessed at: http://asge.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=4298

“Infection Control During GI Endoscopy” is available at: http://asge.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=4300

“Multi-Society Guidelines for Reprocessing Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes” can be accessed at: http://asge.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=3376

###

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Founded in 1941, the mission of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is to be the leader in advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with more than 10,000 physician members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. Visit www.asge.org and www.screen4coloncancer.org for more information.

About Endoscopy

Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system. In many cases, screening or treatment of conditions can be delivered via the endoscope without the need for further sedation, treatment or hospital stay.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.