Effect of IV and Oral Esomeprazole in Prevention of Recurrent Bleeding From Peptic Ulcers After Endoscopic Therapy

The investigators previously showed that the use of a high-dose intravenous PPI regimen after endoscopic control of bleeding from peptic ulcers reduced rate of recurrent bleeding, decreased the need for endoscopic and surgical interventions and in general improved patients' outcomes. A trend towards reduced mortality associated with the use of high-dose intravenous PPI was also observed. Recent clinical trials from Asia have provided evidence that high-dose oral PPIs are associated with a reduction in rebleeding. Current meta-analysis suggests that both high dose (intravenous) and low dose (oral) PPIs effectively reduce rebleeding vs placebo. However, there has been no clinical study to compare IV infusion to oral PPI in this patient population.

Endoscopic stigmata in bleeding peptic ulcers are prognostic and allow risk stratification. Patients with a clean ulcer base have a < 5% risk of rebleeding; this increases progressively with a flat spot, adherent clot, non-bleeding visible vessel and active bleeding (55%). Early endoscopy in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers selects the high risk ulcers for therapy and evaluation of adjuvant PPI use.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18
• Confirmed ulcer bleeding with Forrest Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb
• Endoscopic hemostasis achieved
• Informed consent obtained

Exclusion criteria

• No consent
• Forrest II c, III (clear ulcer base/flat spot and no active bleeding, i.e., minimal risk for rebleeding)
• Unsuccessful endoscopic treatment (i.e., injection and/or thermal coagulation for the initial bleeding) or severe bleeding that immediate surgery is indicated
• Moribund patients in whom active treatment of any form is not considered.
• Polytrauma, severe injury, unconsciousness, burns, or need for continuous artificial ventilation
• Upper GI malignancy or disseminated malignant disease
• Esophageal varices
• A Mallory-Weiss lesion
• Phenytoin or theophylline treatment
• Uses of PPI or H2RAs within 3 days of admission, including uses at Emergency Department N.B. Usage of aspirin or NSAID is not an exclusion criteria.