Over-the-Scope-Clip Iatrogenic Ligation of the Gastroduodenal Artery: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND The Over-the-Scope-Clip (OTSC) System is a class of endoscopic clips intended to provide improved strength and tissue capture compared to conventional through-the-scope clips. These clips are generally safe and effective in managing many gastrointestinal conditions, with a low overall adverse event rate. Although the OTSC has been used to treat gastrointestinal bleeding and bowel perforations for many years, it often is relegated to second-line therapy and has only recently become a first-line hemostatic therapy for gastrointestinal bleeding. CASE REPORT Here, we present a unique adverse event of the OTSC causing iatrogenic ligation of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). A 71-year-old man presented with 6 months of epigastric abdominal pain and 2 weeks of hematemesis, and was ultimately diagnosed with a bleeding duodenal ulcer. He underwent multiple endoscopic interventions to attempt to control the duodenal ulcer bleeding, including placement of the OTSC on a visible vessel. Soon after OTSC placement, he became hypotensive with recurrent hematochezia, and Interventional Radiology was consulted for endovascular management of the bleeding. Angiography showed the OTSC had been deployed across the midportion of the GDA from the duodenal lumen, effectively ligating the GDA, causing bleeding due to direct vascular injury. This bleeding was ultimately controlled with coil embolization. However, this iatrogenic ligation of the midportion of the GDA by the OTSC significantly complicated endovascular intervention to control the bleeding. CONCLUSIONS As the OTSC device becomes more commonly used in the endoscopy suite, it is important to share potential pitfalls that may be encountered in the clinical setting that impact not only endoscopists and patients, but other specialties as well.