Regional survey on the management of oesophageal variceal haemorrhage

Stanley, A.J. , Dillon, J.F. and Hayes, P.C. (1995) Regional survey on the management of oesophageal variceal haemorrhage. Scottish Medical Journal, 40(5), pp. 149-150. (doi: 10.1177/003693309504000508) (PMID:8578304)

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Abstract

A questionnaire was sent to 116 consultant gastroenterologists in Scotland and North-East England to assess their management of oesophageal variceal haemorrhage. Most respondents (58%) dealt with <10 variceal bleeds per year. Sclerotherapy, tamponade, vasoconstrictor therapy and oesophageal transection were available to 87.5–97.5% clinicians, compared with trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (T1PSS) (39.5%) and band ligation (27%). To arrest bleeding, sclerotherapy, tamponade, octreotide/somatostatin and vasopressin/ glypressin were used by 75.5%, 44.5%, 37% and 32% respectively (many used >1 treatment) and if bleeding continued, transection, TIPSS and shunt surgery were considered by 44.5%, 27% and 6%. Sclerotherapy was used for primary and secondary prophylaxis by 11% and 75.5%, and beta-blockers by 17.5% and 49.5% respectively. A wide variation in the management of variceal haemorrhage therefore exists. Most clinicians do not attempt to prevent primary variceal bleeds, with only a minority using beta-blockers but a significant number using sclerotherapy in this situation.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stanley, Dr Adrian
Authors: Stanley, A.J., Dillon, J.F., and Hayes, P.C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Scottish Medical Journal
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:0036-9330
ISSN (Online):2045-6441

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