Timing of Endoscopic Intervention for Acute Variceal Hemorrhage: an RCT

Launched by JINLING HOSPITAL, CHINA · Mar 5, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating the best timing for a procedure called endoscopy, which is used to treat bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus (known as varices) in patients with liver disease (cirrhosis). The study aims to find out if performing endoscopy urgently within 6 hours after a doctor's assessment is more effective in preventing rebleeding compared to waiting between 6 to 24 hours. Researchers will enroll 400 patients who have signs of variceal bleeding, and they will be divided into two groups to compare the outcomes.

To participate in this trial, patients should be adults aged 18 and older, have a confirmed diagnosis of cirrhosis, and exhibit symptoms of bleeding such as vomiting blood or passing black stools. It's important for patients to be stable before or after receiving fluids. However, individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, or have taken certain blood-thinning medications recently cannot join. Participants can expect to receive care from medical professionals throughout the trial and will be monitored for rebleeding within 42 days after their initial treatment. This research will help understand the best timing for endoscopy, potentially improving care for patients with this serious condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • (I) patients who have pathological or clinical and imaging evidence indicating a diagnosis of cirrhosis; (II) patients with clinical symptoms associated with AVH (hematemesis, melena or hematochezia) before admission or during hospitalization; (III) patients who are hemodynamically stable before or after initial fluid resuscitation.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • (I) pregnancy; (II) lactation; (III) less than 18 years; (IV) patients with a history of taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs within 2 weeks prior to admission.