title: Erythromycin infusion prior to endoscopy for acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the effects of erythromycin infusion and gastric lavage in order to improve the quality of visualization during emergency upper endoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a prospective randomized pilot study. Patients presented with hematemesis or melena within 12 hours and were randomly assigned to the erythromycin group (intravenous infusion of erythromycin), gastric lavage group (nasogastric tube placement with gastric lavage), or erythromycin + gastric lavage group (both erythromycin infusion and gastric lavage). The primary outcome was satisfactory visualization. Secondary outcomes included identification of a bleeding source, the success rate of hemostasis, duration of endoscopy, complications related to erythromycin infusion or gastric lavage, number of transfused blood units, rebleeding rate, and bleeding-related mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 43 patients were randomly assigned: 14 patients in the erythromycin group; 15 patients in the gastric lavage group; and 14 patients in the erythromycin + gastric lavage group. Overall satisfactory visualization was achieved in 81% of patients: 92.8% in the erythromycin group; 60.0% in the gastric lavage group; and 92.9% in the erythromycin + gastric lavage group, respectively (p = 0.055). The identification of a bleeding source was possible in all cases. The success rate of hemostasis, duration of endoscopy, and number of transfused blood units did not significantly differ between groups. There were no complications. Rebleeding occurred in three patients (7.0%). Bleeding-related mortality was not reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous erythromycin infusion prior to emergency endoscopy for acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding seems to provide satisfactory endoscopic visualization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Kyong
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Na
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hwoon-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Woo
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Do Hoon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kee Don
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho June
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Gin Hyug
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D004917:Erythromycin
keywords: Endoscopy; Erythromycin; Gastric lavage; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage