• R Pulanić.
• Referentni centar Ministarstva zdravstva Republike Hrvatske za intervencijsku gastroenterologiju, Zavod za gastroenterologiju, Interna klinika Rebro, Zagreb.
• Lijec Vjesn. 2000 Nov 1; 122 (11-12): 276-83.

AbstractEsophageal and gastric variceal bleeding is one of the most severe complications of portal hypertension and with high mortality. The aim of the therapy is to stop bleeding, replace the lost amount of blood and erythrocytes, treat coagulopathy, prevent rebleeding and improve liver function. Commonly accepted method to stop bleeding from varices is endoscopic hemostasis. Four vasoactive drugs, two natural peptides (vasopressin and somatostatin) and their analogues (terlipressin and octreotide) can control acute bleeding from gastric and esophageal varices. They lower portal pressure and the pressure in colateral circulation by vasoconstriction in splanchnic basin, and by inhibition the activity of endogenous vasodilatators. The high incidence of serious side-effects of vasopressin, even with nitroglycerin, has limited its application and decreased the use of this drug, with its abandonment in Europe. The vasopressin analogue, terlipressin, has a lower number of side-effects and is more effective in control of bleeding. Early terlipressin application at home, prior to hospital admission, diminishes mortality due to bleeding, thus attaching additional importance to this drug. Somatostatin, when applied as intravenous bolus injection, controls acute bleeding very efficiently and quickly. Five day somatostatin infusion after endoscopic hemostasis prevents rebleeding, with minimal side-effects. Octreotide is very efficient in long-term therapy of endocrine tumors due to its longer half-life, better hormone inhibition, and simple application compared to somatostatin. Like somatostatin, it can also control variceal bleeding. It appears that the long-term subcutaneous octreotide application prevents rebleeding and improves liver function, all of which yields a new dimension to its use.

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