The Efficacy of Vasoactive Medications in Treating Acute Variceal Bleeds

摘要

Vasoactive medications such as vasopressin, somatostatin and their analogues are commonly used for the treatment of acute variceal bleeding. Vasoactive medications have been used for over thirty years and management has improved with better endoscopic therapies and the use of antibiotics prophylactically. Even with such a long history, the risks and benefits of the use of vasoactive medications continue to be debated.In this article we explore the evidence behind the efficacy of these medications.