Long-acting somatostatin analogue therapy in obscure-overt gastrointestinal bleeding in noncirrhotic portal hypertension: a case report and literature review

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Jun;22(6):754-8. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e32832d2393.

Abstract

We describe a case of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in a male with noncirrhotic portal hypertension who required multiple admissions and repeated blood transfusions over a 5-month period. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy failed to establish a cause for bleeding which was eventually ascribed to universal portal hypertensive stigmata in stomach, small bowel and colon, which were not amenable to endoscopic therapy. On account of extensive venous thrombosis, neither surgical shunting nor interventional radiology was an option. Initial management with prothrombotic agents failed. Our patient was successfully stabilized on long-acting somatostatin (SMS) analogue therapy using lanreotide, resulting in avoidance of further admissions and blood transfusion and restoration of his independence and quality of life. The use of short-acting SMS analogues is recognised in acute variceal haemorrhage secondary to portal hypertension in cirrhosis, and long-acting SMS analogue therapy has been described in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding though secondary to angiodysplasia. However, the potential role of long-term SMS analogues in noncirrhotic portal hypertensive bleeding of this type has not been reported earlier. This case supports its use in this scenario in the absence of surgical options and when only palliative approaches are available.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / drug therapy
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / drug therapy*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / complications
  • Hypertension, Portal / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptides, Cyclic / therapeutic use*
  • Quality of Life
  • Somatostatin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Somatostatin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • lanreotide
  • Somatostatin