Background: Treatment of variceal rupture from portal hypertension remains a therapeutic problem with implications and socio-economic challenge, still insufficient crystallized from a practical point of view, therefore, we considered it necessary to research new therapeutic options.
Methods: We conducted a single center non-interventional observational study on a group of 20 patients in the 2010–2011 period, with the diagnosis of esophageal varices in portal hypertension. We analyzed cases based on physical and laboratory examinations collected from observation sheets, intraoperatory or endoscopic examination, terlipressin efficiency being quantified postterapeutically.
Results: Out of the 20 patients, 75% had ethanol cirrhosis, while a viral etiology was recognized in 25% of cases, class Child-Pugh A and B being the most common. Control of bleeding was achieved in 85% of cases within 12 hours, in 10% of cases the bleeding stopped at intervals over 12 h after the first administration, and only in one case the bleeding persisted despite therapy with terlipressin.
Conclusions: Use of terlipressin is an important option in obtaining hemostasis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to variceal rupture. Pharmacologic therapy with terlipressin can save cirrhotic patients with severe or moderate bleeding, requiring transfusion with two units.