Chitapanarux T, Ritdamrongthum P, Leerapun A, Pisespongsa P, Thongsawat S. Three-day versus five-day somatostatin infusion combination with endoscopic variceal ligation in the prevention of early rebleeding following acute variceal hemorrhage: A randomized controlled trial.
Hepatol Res 2015;
45:1276-82. [PMID:
25676742 DOI:
10.1111/hepr.12503]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM
Combined pharmacological and endoscopic therapy is recommended for initial treatment of acute variceal bleeding (AVB). The optimal duration of therapy with a vasoactive agent is not well established. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 3-day and 5-day somatostatin treatment in the prevention of early rebleeding after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL).
METHODS
In a double-blind, prospective trial, cirrhotic patients with AVB who underwent EVL were randomly assigned to receive a continuous infusion of somatostatin for either 3 days or 5 days.
RESULTS
A total of 95 patients were enrolled; 50 patients in the 3-day group and 45 patients in the 5-day group after initial hemostasis by combination therapy with somatostatin and EVL. Both groups were comparable in terms of baseline data. Very early and early rebleeding within 5 days and 42 days occurred in one and three patient (2%, 6%) in the 3-day group and three and two patients (6.67%, 4.45%) in the 5-day group (P = 0.342, 0.735), respectively. Overall, eight patients died (three from variceal rebleeding and five from causes other than variceal bleed); four (8%) in the 3-day group and four (8.89%) in the 5-day group (P = 0.876). Multivariate analysis revealed that none of the factors was a predictor of rebleeding. No serious side-effects and complications were observed.
CONCLUSION
A 3-day course of somatostatin is as effective as a 5-day course for the control of variceal bleeding and prevention of early rebleeding when used as combination therapy with EVL.
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