Why is octreotide used in varices?
Octreotide reduces portal and variceal pressures as well as splanchnic and portal-systemic collateral blood flows [2]. It also prevents postprandial splanchnic hyperemia in patients with portal hypertension [3] and lowers gastric mucosal blood flow in normal and portal hypertensive stomachs [4].
When do you use octreotide varices?
For suspected variceal bleeding an octreotide infusion should be initiated immediately. To prevent further bleeding the drug should be continued for two to five days after endoscopic variceal ligation.
How does octreotide help with GI bleed?
Sandostatin (octreotide acetate) may help treat certain types of bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various mechanisms, including its ability to: Reduce blood flow in the gastrointestinal system. Inhibit stomach acids. Decrease the clumping of platelets.
Why is octreotide given for cirrhosis?
Long-Acting Octreotide Reduces Portal Pressure in Patients with Cirrhosis. In a small study, monthly intramuscular injections of octreotide resulted in significant reductions in portal hypertension. Portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients can lead to serious complications, including variceal hemorrhage.
How does octreotide work for cirrhosis?
Conclusions: Octreotide in a short infusion treatment induces an inhibitory effect on renin aldosterone secretion which may be responsible for the benefical effects on sodium excretion.
How does octreotide lower portal pressure?
suggested that octreotide reduces portal venous pressure by selectively contracting the superior mesenteric artery and causing a reduction of blood flow in the liver (Sharara and Rockey 2001).
What drugs reduce portal hypertension?
Pharmacologic therapy for portal hypertension includes the use of beta-blockers, most commonly propranolol and nadolol. Brazilian investigators have suggested that the use of some statins (eg, simvastatin) may lower portal pressure and potentially improve the liver function.
What does an octreotide drip do?
Octreotide is used to treat severe watery diarrhea and sudden reddening of the face and neck caused by certain types of tumors (such as carcinoid tumors, vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors) that are found usually in the intestines and pancreas.
What is octreotide used for in liver disease?
Octreotide is often given as an infusion for management of acute hemorrhage from esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis on the basis that it reduces portal venous pressure, though current evidence suggests that this effect is transient and does not improve survival.
Why is octreotide given in liver failure?
EDITOR—The conclusion drawn by Jenkins et al is that octreotide improves liver function, lowers portal pressure, and protects against variceal rebleeding. 1 The paper, however, does not justify this conclusion. Firstly, the number of patients is too small.
Is octreotide a vasoconstrictor?
Somatostatin and its analogues, such as octreotide, have a vasoconstrictive effect in cirrhotic pa- tients and experimental animals with portal hypertension.
How does octreotide work in cirrhosis?