Vasoactive drugs in the management of acute variceal bleeding

Abstract

Several methods have been used to treat acute variceal hemorrhage. Sclerotherapy is the method of choice. The use of vasoactive drugs is popular despite unsatisfactory effect and systemic hemodynamic adverse effects. The recently introduced longacting somatostatin analogue, octreotide, is more effective and has no systemic adverse effects. It may be used while waiting for emergency sclerotherapy or in combination with sclerotherapy in patients with high risk of rebleeding.