Somatostatin (Somatosan, BAG Health Care GmbH, Lich, Germany) was given by intravenous bolus (250 μg) followed by 250 μg/hour and continued for 3 days in group S.

Terlipressin (Glypressin, Ferring GmbH, Kiel, Germany) was started at 2mg bolus injection and followed by 1 mg infusion every 6 hours for 3 days in group T.

Vasoconstrictor Choice on Acute Variceal Bleeding

A decision to use vasoactive drugs (either somatostatin or terlipressin) depended on the favorite of participating attending physicians who were requested to fill out the enclosed questionnaires immediately after the administration of the first dose for further understanding the underlying reason of the chosen medication.

Somatostatin

Terlipressin

Both study groups were administered with 40mg pantoprazole intravenously after EVL for 3 days, and following oral form for 12 days to hasten the process of healing of ulcers induced by ligation.

Pantoprazole

Two experienced endoscopists performed emergent EVL for the enrolled patients with acute EVB. Pneumoactive ligation device (Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) and endoscopes (GIF XQ260; Olympus Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) were applied. The targeted varix was suctioned and entrapped by a cap on endoscope. Ligation was aimed at active bleeding sites, red color spots or white nipple signs during the procedure.

Endoscopic variceal ligation

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine

Vasoactive Drugs in Real World Practice

Short-course Somatostatin Versus Terlipressin Infusion in Combination With Endoscopic Variceal Ligation for the Prevention of Early Esophageal Variceal Rebleeding

Early rebleeding was defined as variceal hemorrhage occurs from day 3 till day 42 after initial bleeding arrest. An episode of clinically significant bleeding is being defined by blood transfusion > 2 units of packed red blood cells.

Very early rebleeding was defined as when acute variceal bleeding occurred from 48 to 120 hours after having controlled of initial acute hemorrhage. An episode of clinically significant bleeding is being defined by blood transfusion > 2 units of packed red blood cells.

Incidence rate of all-cause deaths is documented.

Adverse effects associated with vasoactive agents and endoscopic variceal ligation (> grade I by CTCAE v4.0)

ulcer/hyoscine

Vasoactive Drugs in Real World Practice

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