Comparison of 24-hours Versus 72-hours of Octreotide Infusion in Preventing Early Rebleed From Esophageal Varices

In cirrhotic patients with bleeding esophageal varices, standard of care therapy includes administration of octreotide infusion over 72-hours and endoscopic banding of esophageal varices. Octreotide acts to reduce the pressure in the blood vessels surrounding the liver, decreasing the propensity of bleeding from esophageal varices. The recommended duration of octreotide therapy is based largely on expert opinion, however a 72-hour duration of treatment is likely to be unnecessary and may inappropriately increase hospital and medical costs. This study aims to determine the safety of 24-hours of octreotide infusion in patients with bleeding esophageal varices.