title: Effect of erythromycin before endoscopy in patients presenting with variceal bleeding: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blood in the stomach and esophagus in patients with variceal bleeding often obscures the endoscopic view and makes endoscopic intervention difficult to perform. Erythromycin, a motilin agonist, induces gastric emptying.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of erythromycin on endoscopic visibility and its outcome in patients with variceal bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients with liver cirrhosis presenting with hematemesis within the previous 12 hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Either 125 mg erythromycin or placebo administered intravenously 30 minutes before endoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endoscopic visibility during index endoscopy and mean duration of procedure. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Need for repeat endoscopy and blood transfusions within 24 hours, endoscopy-related complications, and length of hospital stay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 102 patients received either erythromycin or placebo (53 erythromycin and 49 placebo). Forty-seven patients in the erythromycin group and 43 in the placebo group had variceal bleeding and were considered for final analysis. A completely empty stomach was seen in 48.9% of the erythromycin group versus 23.3% of the placebo group (P<.01). Mean endoscopy duration was significantly shorter in the erythromycin group than in the placebo group (19.0 minutes vs 26.0 minutes, respectively; P<.005). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the erythromycin group than in the placebo group (3.4 days vs 5.1 days, respectively; P<.002). The need for repeat endoscopy and the mean number of units of blood transfused did not differ significantly in the 2 groups. No adverse events were observed with erythromycin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sample size not sufficient to measure the need for repeat endoscopy and survival benefit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Erythromycin infusion before endoscopy in patients with variceal bleeding significantly improves endoscopic visibility and shortens the duration of the index endoscopy. (
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01060267.).
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ibrahimtralf@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Altraif
authors.forename: Fayaz A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Handoo
authors.forename: Abdulrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aljumah
authors.forename: Abduljaleel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alalwan
authors.forename: Mutasim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dafalla
authors.forename: Abdullah Mohamed
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Abdulrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkhormi
authors.forename: Abdul Karim
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Albekairy
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamim
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery*; D016558:Hemostasis, Endoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D004917:Erythromycin