Why is octreotide use for liver 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.
Why octreotide is used in variceal bleeding?
Results: Octreotide improved control of esophageal variceal hemorrhage compared with all alternative therapies combined (relative risk [RR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51–0.77); vasopressin/terlipressin (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42–0.81); or no additional intervention/placebo (among patients that received initial …
What is octreotide used for in liver disease?
EDITOR—The conclusion drawn by Jenkins et al is that octreotide improves liver function, lowers portal pressure, and protects against variceal rebleeding.
How does octreotide help with bleeding?
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.
How does octreotide reduce portal pressure?
Octreotide decreased portal pressure in cirrhotic patients by inhibiting HSC contractility by decreasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration via stimulation of all SSTRs on HSCs.
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).
Is octreotide hepatotoxic?
Hepatotoxicity. Mild, transient, asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferase levels occur in a small proportion of patients receiving octreotide, and in some individuals the elevations are persistent and worsen over time and may require drug discontinuation.
Does octreotide decrease mortality?
Univariate analysis showed that octreotide was associated with a decreased risk of mortality (Table 3, OR 0.287, 95% CI 0.084-0.986; p = 0.048).
When can I stop octreotide variceal bleeding?
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.
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.