Treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices with somatostatin

Cyclic somatostatin was administered intravenously on eight occasions to five consecutive patients with massive haemalemesis due to oesophageal varices. The doses administered with 0--250 micrograms as bolus, followed by 100--250 micrograms per hr during 2--12 hrs. The source of bleeding was determined by endoscopy. The volume of bleeding was estimated from the clinical condition of the patient and by gastric irrigation and iced water. The bleeding stopped immediately on all occasions when somatostatin was administered. It is suggested that the effect is due to the ability of somatostatin to reduce regional splanchnic blood flows and portal pressure.