RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic heat probe coagulation (HP) and argon plasma coagulation (APC) are considered to be safe and effective for the treatment of peptic ulcer bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APC and HP for treating bleeding peptic ulcer. METHODS: Between May 2004 and November 2006 we conducted a prospective randomized trial on 99 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding and for whom a visible vessel or active bleeding was identified. The patients were randomized into two groups: the APC group that was comprised of 56 patients who received argon plasma coagulation and HP group that was comprised of 43 patients who received heat probe coagulation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the study groups in terms of age, risk factors, the initial hemoglobin values, the number of patients who showed signs of hemodynamic impairment, the location of ulcer and the bleeding activity. The initial hemostatic rate was 89.3% in the APC group and 93% in the heat probe group (p=0.521). After successful initial endoscopic treatment, rebleeding was observed in 4 cases of the APC group (7.1%) and in 4 cases of heat probe coagulation group (9.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Argon plasma coagulation and heat probe coagulation are equally effective for controlling bleeding from peptic ulcer.