Risk factors of early mortality after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: A retrospective study

Abstract

When performing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), the associated risks must always be kept in mind. We investigated and analyzed early mortality after PEG, retrospectively. Of the 302 patients (63% males, mean age 75 years) who underwent PEG at our center from 1999 to 2008, 7 patients (2.3%) were dead within 30 days of the procedure. Only one death could be directly related to the procedure. By a logistic regression analysis, the following 3 factors were identified as independent preoperative risk factors for death within 30 days of the PEG: (1) high serum creatinine level [mg/dl, p=0.006, odds ratio (OR)=8.472]; (2) past history of ischemic heart disease [p=0.008, OR=9.985]; (3) low serum albumin level [g/dl, p=0.017, OR=0.096]. In patients with poor renal function, poor cardiac function, severe malnutrition or exhaustion, the indications for PEG need to be very carefully investigated.