EFFICACY OF OCTREOTIDE IN UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING DUE TO VIRAL HEPATITIS INDUCED LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be a deadly and life threatening condition and need intensive emergency treatment to keep away from undesirable morbidity and mortality. Octreotide has great viability and safety profile. Objective; To determine the efficacy of octreotide in cases of upper GI bleed due to liver cirrhosis. Methodology: In this study there were total 50 cases of upper GI bleed within last 24 hours due to liver cirrhosis of both genders falling in the age range of 30-70 years presenting to medical wards and emergency department. The octreotide 100mcg bolus injected then 800mcg in 400ml normal saline infusion given over the period of 24 hours. This therapy was given for 2 to 5 days. The efficacy was labeled as yes when there is no bleeding episode over 24 to 48 hours. Results: In this study there were total 50 cases out of which 35 (70%) were males and 15 (30%) females. The mean age and duration of cirrhosis were 49.45±6.85 years and 4.87±2.01 years respectively. The efficacy was almost equal in both genders (p= 0.95). The efficacy was slight better in age group 30-49 years where 16 (69.56%) out of 23 cases had it (p= 0.12). The efficacy was significantly better in Class A where 4 (80%) out of 5 cases had it as compared to Class B and C where it was almost equal with p= 0.01. Conclusion: octreotide has good efficacy in treating upper GI bleed in cases with liver cirrhosis and this is significantly better in cases with Child Pugh Class A. Keywords: GI bleed, Varices, Octreotid