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Controlled Trial of Vasopressin and Balloon Tamponade in Bleeding Esophageal Varices
Author(s) -
Correia J. Pinto,
Alves M. Martins,
Alexandrino P.,
Silveira J.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840040515
Subject(s) - medicine , balloon tamponade , vasopressin , tamponade , esophageal varices , cardiac tamponade , surgery , cirrhosis , anesthesia , portal hypertension
In a randomized controlled trial, the effect of continuous intravenous administration of vasopressin was compared with Sengstaken‐Blakemore balloon tamponade in 37 episodes of bleeding esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis. The majority were Group A and B of Child's classification. Bleeding was controlled in 11 of 17 (65%) patients on vasopressin and in 14 of 20 (70%) patients on tamponade. The patients who failed to respond initially (6 episodes on vasopressin and 5 on tamponade) were treated successfully with the alternative method. Overall mortality was similar in both groups: 3 patients in the vasopressin group and 4 in the tamponade group died. Only one patient died of uncontrolled bleeding; 4 patients probably died of complications of treatment, 2 of cardiac ischemia after vasopressin and 2 of pulmonary infection after tamponade. The vasopressin group required significantly fewer blood transfusions than did the tamponade group.