Argon Plasma Coagulation vs Hemoclipping for Bleeding Peptic Ulcers

【Goals and Background 】 Endoscopic treatment is recommended for initial hemostasis in nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Many endoscopic devices have been demonstrated to be effective in the hemostasis of bleeding ulcers. However, the additional hemostatic efficacy of argon plasma coagulation (APC) after endoscopic injection therapy has not been widely investigated.

【Study】 From Feb. 2012 to April 2016, consecutive patients with high-risk bleeding ulcers, characterized by active bleeding, non-bleeding visible vessels and adherent clots, were admitted to our hospital. They prospectively randomly underwent either APC therapy plus distilled water injection or Hemoclipping plus distilled water injection. Pantoprazole infusion was conducted during the fasting period after endoscopy and orally for 8 weeks to encourage ulcer healing. Episodes of rebleeding were retreated with endoscopic combination therapy. Patients who did not benefit from retreatment underwent emergency surgery or arterial embolization.

Inclusion criteria

． high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding. High-risk bleeding ulcers were defined as participants with stigmata of a bleeding visible vessels (eg, spurting, oozing), a non-bleeding visible vessels (NBVV) or adherent clot.4 A NBVV at endoscopy was defined as a raised red, red-blue or pale hemispheric vessel protruding from the ulcer bed, without active bleeding. An adherent clot was defined as an overlying blood clot that was resistant to vigorous irrigation.

Exclusion criteria

• the presence of another possible bleeding site (eg, gastroesophageal varix, gastric cancer, reflux esophagitis)
• coexistence of actively severe ill diseases (eg, septic shock, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgical abdomen)
• treatment with an anticoagulant (eg, warfarin)
• pregnancy
• the presence of operated stomach
• refusal to participate in the study