Extrait

Background and study aims Esophageal varices (EV) is a condition where the blood vessels in the esophagus are extremely dilated (widened). Banding is a treatment that uses elastic bands to tie the blood vessels in order to stop bleeding. The other treatment available for this condition is sclerotherapy, where a medicine is injected which will cause the blood vessels to shrink. Esophageal variceal banding may be less likely to cause bacteremia (occurrence of bacteria in the blood) than sclerotherapy. We do not know how frequently bacteremia occurs after banding or sclerotherapy. We conducted this study to compare the frequency of bacteremia after banding and sclerotherapy. Who can participate? Patients with liver disease admitted for upper gastrointestinal bleeding or those who came for variceal therapy who have had previous treatment for EV. What does the study involve? Those who came as an outpatient for elective sclerotherapy or banding were given their preferred treatment. New patients with upper GI bleeding were checked by endoscopy before any treatment. Those who required treatment were randomly allocated to either undergo either banding or sclerotherapy. Those who did not need treatment were considered as the control group. Blood samples of all patients were analysed at 5 and 30 minutes to check for bacteremia. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? There were no financial benefits of participating in this study. Patients received treatment for esophageal varices. There were no obvious risks. Where is the study run from? Thomason General Hospital in El Paso, Texas, USA. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? July 1995 to April 1997. Who is funding the study? Investigator initiated and funded (USA). Who is the main contact? Marc J Zuckerman, MD [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Bacteremia in patients with liver disease admitted for UGI bleeding

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn