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Standard therapy for acute variceal bleeding (AVB) includes hemodynamic stabilization, pharmacologic treatment (including antibiotics), and endoscopic therapy. Endoscopic therapy can be hampered by active bleeding and other factors that impair visualization or targeting of the treatment area. Early endoscopic experience with hemostatic powders or sprays has shown promise in treating upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NEJM JW Gastroenterol May 31 2013). Now, investigators have assessed the efficacy of endoscopic delivery of a hemostatic powder (TC-325) to the surface of bleeding esophageal varices for hemostasis and prevention of rebleeding.
Nine consecutive patients with AVB in two tertiary referral hospitals were treated by spraying TC-325 po…