Comparative Efficacy of Octreotide Andterlipressin in the Treatment of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding

Background: To compare the efficacy of Terlipressin and Octreotide in control of acute esophageal variceal bleeding. Methods: In this comparative study 80 patients presenting with acute variceal bleed, during a period of one year( from August 2020 to July 2021), were selected. Patients were divided into two groups of 40 each by lottery method. Group A received Terlipressin, while Group B received Octreotide. Patients in these groups were matched for age, gender, grade of esophageal varices, and Childs-Pugh Class. The outcomes were recorded in terms of control of bleeding, rebleeding or death. Results: Out of 80 patients, 55% were male. Bleeding stopped within 48 hours in 78.75 % of patients (90% in group A vs 70 % in group B). Active bleeding continued in 5% vs 10% in group A and B respectively. Rebleeding after 48 hours was observed in 1.25% vs 3.75% patients in group A and B respectively. No death occurred in group A while one patient died in group B (0% vs 1.25%). The relative risk of continuous bleeding was 2.0 times more in group B as compared to group A, 95% confidence interval 0.867 to 10.014. Conclusions: Patients who were given Terlipressin had better control of bleeding, reduced risk of rebleeding, death as compared to those who were given Octreotide.