Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) With and Without a History of Peripheral Artery Disease

Introduction Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common illness associated with an increased risk of complications and mortality. Gastroenterologists considering endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in these patients should weigh the benefits and risks carefully. Our goal is to analyze the hospital burden and complication rates in patients with PAD undergoing ERCP. Methods Using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), patients over the age of 18 with and without PAD undergoing ERCP were identified utilizing the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes. Primary outcomes included inpatient mortality, length of stay, and hospital charges. Secondary outcomes included rates of bile duct perforation, post-ERCP bleeding, acute pancreatitis, and cholangitis. Supplemental data, including household income and primary payer, were also analyzed. Independent t-tests were used for continuous data, chi-square tests for categorical data, and confounding variables (diabetes, age, gender, race) were controlled via multiple logistic regression. Results Most of the PAD group were male, while those in the non-PAD group were female (adjusted p<0.05). Mortality was higher in the PAD group (11.2% versus 8%; adjusted p<0.05). Members of the PAD group had longer lengths of stay (11.6 days versus 11 days; adjusted p<0.05) and more costly hospital stays ($108,006.49 versus $94,399.09; p<0.05). Members of the PAD group had higher rates of post-ERCP bleeding (5.2% versus 3.7%; adjusted p<0.05) and lower rates of cholangitis (6% versus 4%; adjusted p<0.05) and acute pancreatitis (6.9% versus 3.4%; adjusted p<0.05). Conclusion Patients with PAD had an increased hospital burden but had a decreased risk of post-ERCP complications, including cholangitis and pancreatitis. Physicians performing risk stratification for patients with PAD undergoing ERCP must consider these specific complications and ensure that patients undergoing this procedure are fully aware of the dangers and benefits of ERCP prior to consenting to the procedure.