Study of the effect of longacting somatostatin analogue, octreotide on acute bleeding from oesophageal varices

ABSTRACT

A placebo-controlled clinical trial of octreotide was conducted among 30 patients admitted for bleeding oesophageal varices. [15 placebo 15 octreotide]. An octreotide infusion at a dose of 50 ug/hour for 24 hours and an identical administration of placebo were evaluated for the control of bleeding over the 24 hours trial period. Patients of both groups were comparable in age, gender, severity of liver disease, history of variceal bleeding as well as the grade of their oesophageal varices. Initial control of bleeding occurred in 14/15 patients [93.3%] in the octreotide group after a mean time of 3.93 +/- 2.87 hours, while in placebo this occurred in 9/15 patients [60%] after a mean 3 +/- 1.58 hours. Severe rebleeding after initial response occurred in 3/14 [21.14%] in the octreotide group and 4/9 [44.4%] in the placebo group. Transfusion requirements were similar in both groups and no complications occurred could be attributed to the trial drug. It is concluded that octreotide is safe and more effective than placebo for the control of variceal bleeding until definitive treatment can be undertaken