Emergency Endoscopic Hemostasis for Gastrointestinal Bleeding Using a Self-Assembling Peptide: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopic Hemostasis
• Biomaterials

Background:

• A novel synthetic self-assembling peptide, PuraStat, was developed as a hemostatic agent.
• This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of PuraStat in managing gastrointestinal bleeding during emergency endoscopy.

Observation:

• Twenty-five patients with diverse gastrointestinal bleeding sources underwent emergency endoscopy with PuraStat.
• Six patients were on antithrombotic agents, and ten had refractory bleeding requiring prior interventions.
• PuraStat was used alone in six cases and in combination with other hemostatic modalities in the remainder.

Findings:

• PuraStat achieved hemostatic efficiency in 92% (23 out of 25) of cases.
• Rebleeding occurred in only three patients.
• Effective hemostasis was observed across various bleeding etiologies, including ulcers, post-resection bleeding, and vascular lesions.

Implications:

• PuraStat demonstrates significant clinical efficacy as a hemostatic agent in emergency endoscopic settings.
• Its application should be considered for managing gastrointestinal bleeding, offering a potentially valuable tool for endoscopists.
• Further research may explore PuraStat's role in specific bleeding scenarios and its long-term safety profile.