Tranexamic acid for severe bleeding gastric antral vascular ectasia in cirrhosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

It is believed that severe portal hypertensive gastropathy probably accounts for most non-variceal bleeding episodes in patients with cirrhosis. Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) also occurs in these patients. It is not clear whether it is a variant of portal hypertensive gastropathy or a distinct condition.

PATIENT:

A patient, a 66 year od woman, with cirrhosis initially diagnosed as having portal hypertensive gastropathy and subsequently classified as GAVE is described. She required transfusion with a total of 130 units of packed red cells for gastrointestinal blood loss.

RESULTS:

The bleeding did not respond to portal decompression with TIPS or beta blockers. Following treatment with oral tranexamic acid she has not required further blood transfusion over a period of 30 months.

CONCLUSION:

Tranexamic acid may be a useful treatment for refractory bleeding due to gastric antral vascular ectasia in patients with cirrhosis.

• Authors: P A McCormick, H Ooi, O Crosbie
• Journal: Gut (Gut) Vol. 42 Issue 5 Pg. 750-2 (May 1998) ISSN: 0017-5749 [Print] England
• PMID: 9659175 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antifibrinolytic Agents
• Tranexamic Acid

Topics

• Aged
• Antifibrinolytic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage (drug therapy, etiology)
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis (complications)
• Stomach Diseases (complications)
• Tranexamic Acid (therapeutic use)
• Vascular Diseases (complications)