Comparison of 12-Hour with 72-Hour Terlipressin Therapy for Bleeding Esophageal Varices

To determine the efficacy of 12-hour of Terlipressin therapy as compared to 72-hour therapy in preventing rebleeding after endoscopic therapy.

Interventional study.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from January to March 2016.

Cirrhotic patients presenting to our hospital with GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding received Terlipressin 2 mg intravenous bolus, followed by 1mg 6-hourly until undergoing endoscopy. Those with esophageal varices as the source of bleeding underwent band ligation and were recruited. Of the 93 enrolled patients, 90 remained and were randomized into 25 (27.8%) in control Group-Aand 65 (72.2%) in test Group-B. Group-Areceived 72-hour of Terlipressin while Group-B received it for 12-hour. Both groups were monitored for rebleeding for 5 days.

Rebleeding occurred in 1 (4%) patient in Group-Aand 3 (4.6%) in Group-B during the 5-day period. All 4 (4.4%) underwent repeat endoscopy. The Group-Apatient and 2 (3%) of 3 Group-B patients showed ulcers over band ligation sites as source of bleed. The third Group-B patient showed varices requiring repeat banding. One (4%) patient (Group-A) died due to persistent encephalopathy. No drug related adverse effects were seen.

A12-hour duration of Terlipressin as an adjunct to endoscopic band ligation shows similar results to 72-hour therapy.