Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic carries a risk of disease
transmission [1]
[2]. The HemoPill (Ovesco Endoscopy, Tübingen, Germany) is composed of an orally administered
telemetric sensor capsule that is capable of detecting blood and hematin, and a wireless
receiver for data display [3]
[4]
[5]. Results are expressed as the HemoPill indicator (HI). A HI value ≥ 0.8 during the
first 10 minutes of the examination or ≥ 1.0 thereafter denotes a positive test result.
We evaluated this sensor capsule in patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
Case #1 was a patient with COVID-19, congestive heart failure, and severe obesity
who reported melena and had a drop of hemoglobin from 14.6 g/dL to 11.3 g/dL. She
required low-flow oxygen but was otherwise clinically stable. The maximum HI value
was 1.0 after 89 minutes ([Fig. 1a]). Endoscopy subsequently showed a gastric ulcer with a non-bleeding visible vessel
([Fig. 1b]).
Fig. 1 Images of HemoPill examination in two patients showing: a a screenshot of the HemoPill Receiver in patient #1, which revealed a maximum HI
of 1.0 after 89 minutes of examination, therefore denoting a positive test result;
b endoscopic image in patient #1, with a non-spurting visible vessel identified in
the stomach that was treated with through-the-scope clips; c a screenshot of the HemoPill Receiver in patient #2, which revealed a negative test
result; d a photograph of the HemoPill capsule, an orally administered telemetric sensor capsule
capable of detecting liquid blood or hematin.
Patient #2 suffered from dyspnea and anemia (hemoglobin 4.3 g/dL) with possible gastrointestinal
bleeding. She was routinely tested for SARS-CoV-2 and isolated until receipt of her
result. The maximum HI value was 0.2 ([Fig. 1c]). Her endoscopy, which showed no evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, was postponed
for 48 hours until receipt of negative test result.
Patient #3 suffered from COVID-19 and was therefore receiving anticoagulant therapy.
He underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopy with papillotomy because of biliary
pancreatitis; he reported a single episode of hematochezia 1 week after the endoscopy
and his hemoglobin had dropped by 4.5 g/dL to 7.9 g/dL. His maximum HI value was 0.8
and no endoscopy was performed. No further episodes of bleeding were reported and
the patient’s hemoglobin remained stable.
This sensor capsule ([Fig. 1 d]) might aid in decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. In patients with as
yet unavailable COVID-19 test results, it might aid in determining the appropriate
timepoint for endoscopy. In patients who are positive for COVID-19 with suspected
gastrointestinal bleeding, it could help in deciding whether to perform an endoscopy
or not and thereby potentially help minimizing risk of disease transmission.
