Octreotide in the treatment of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by ruptured esophageal varices

AIMS: To asses the value of octreotide in the control of acute bleeding esophageal varices in a retrospective study. METHODOLOGY: Fourty two patients admitted for esophageal variceal bleeding confirmed at endoscopy were recruited. An initial 50 micrograms bolus of octreotide followed by a two day continuous infusion of 25 micrograms/h were evaluated for the control of bleeding. RESULTS: Twenty nine patients were endoscopic stigmata of recent bleeding and thirteen were active bleeding at emergency endoscopy. Octreotide was found to be effective regarding hemostasis at 48 hours and on day 7 after the index bleeding episode. 30-day mortality was 11.9%. Echec of octreotide was significantly associated with severity of cirrhosis (p<0.03). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that octreotide is effective in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding and it is a valuable adjuvant treatment in association with endoscopic management.