Long-acting octreotide as rescue therapy in chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasia.
BACKGROUND
Octreotide has shown to be effective against rebleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias, but a long-term daily parenteral administration is recommended. Long-acting octreotide (LAR-OCT) could overcome such a limitation, but it has not been studied extensively.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the usefulness of long-acting octreotide in the control of chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias.


METHODS
Thirteen patients with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding because of angiodysplasias were enrolled. Diagnosis was made by endoscopy and wireless video capsule. Long-acting octreotide was administered intramuscularly at a dosage of 10 mg/monthly for 1 year. Patients were followed up for a minimum period of 1 year, and haemoglobin levels, blood transfusions, iron supplementation and hospitalizations were recorded 1 year before and after starting long-acting octreotide therapy.


RESULTS
Follow-up ranged from 12 to 60 months. Nine of 13 patients (69%) did not need blood transfusions and iron supplementation any longer; a partial improvement was observed in one patient; no effect was found in the others. No side effect was recorded in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-acting octreotide for 1 year may be beneficial as a rescue therapy for controlling chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias in patients not eligible for surgery. Its monthly administration represents an advantage, which makes such a formulation the choice when a long-term treatment is mandatory.
Scaglione
G
G
Rummo Hospital, Gastroenterology Unit, A O G Rummo, Benevento, Italy. giuseppescaglione@micso.net
Pietrini
L
L
Russo
F
F
Franco
M R
MR
Sorrentini
I
I
D000368:Aged; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide