Abstract
This report describes our experience of 18 continuous perfusions of the superior mesenteric artery with Pitressin® in a small group of unselected patients with severe cirrhosis of the liver and proven bleeding from esophageal varices. Several complications of the procedure and of the drug are discussed. Pitressin perfusion rapidly stopped the bleeding in all patients, but rebleeding occurred after the drug was discontinued. This procedure was most useful in controlling massive variceal hemorrhage, allowing time for selection and preparation of patients for semi-emergency surgical portasystemic shunting while maintaining hepatic blood flow and preventing hepatic decompensation.
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Supported in part by National Institutes of Health Training Grant AM 05499.
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Thomas Marubbio, A., Lombardo, R.P. & Holt, P.R. Control of variceal bleeding by superior mesenteric artery Pitressin perfusions—Complications and indications. Digest Dis Sci 18, 539–543 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01072215
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01072215