Precise Delivery of Tranexamic Acid to Enhance Endoscopic Hemostasis for Peptic Ulcer Bleeding
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Peptic ulcer bleeding is a common emergency for patients who need therapeutic endoscopy. According to international guidelines and Taiwan consensus, the standard therapy included proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and endoscopic therapy. For high-risk peptic ulcers, such as active spurting, oozing bleeding, a nonbleeding visible vessel or ulcers with adherent clots, we apply endoscopic hemostasis with epinephrine injection in combination with either heater probe coagulation, hemoclipping and/or rubber band ligation. Parenteral high-dose PPI is administered after endoscopic hemostasis. Though current standard endoscopic therapy plus PPI infusion are highly effective, 5%-10% of the patients still experience recurrence of bleeding after the initial treatment. It is still an important issue to reduce recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding after standard endoscopic therapy.
Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding by inhibiting clot breakdown by inhibiting the degradation of fibrin by plasmin. It is effective to be used topically to reduce bleeding during surgery. However, the effect of application of tranexamic acid orally or intravenously for gastrointestinal bleeding was still controversial, probably because that the route of tranexamic acid use is not precise at the bleeding site. Tranexamic acid has anti-fibrinolytic effects at the bleeding site, so it is possible that use of tranexamic acid locally may have better efficacy than via intravenous or oral route. We propose to investigate the effectiveness and safety when using tranexamic acid locally under endoscopic guidance in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after standard endoscopic therapy.
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Detailed Description
Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) hemorrhage is a common emergency for patients who need therapeutic endoscopy. Among these patients, peptic ulcer bleeding is the most common causes in UGI bleeding with risk for mortality. According to Taiwan consensus, standard therapy included proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and endoscopic therapy. We use Rockall score and Forrest classification to decide the use of endoscopic therapy and predict recurrent bleeding rate of the peptic ulcer. For high-risk peptic ulcer, such as active spurting (Forrest classification Ia), oozing bleeding (Forrest classification Ib), a nonbleeding visible vessel (Forrest classification IIa) or ulcers with adherent clots (Forrest classification IIb), we apply endoscopic hemostasis with epinephrine injection in combination with either heater probe coagulation, hemoclipping and/or rubber band ligation. Standard endoscopic hemostasis is highly effective, with overall success rates of 85%-95% in stopping hemorrhage. However, 5%-10% of the patients still experience recurrence of bleeding after the initial endoscopic hemostasis, especially in those with Rockall scores≥6. Although most patients with peptic ulcer bleeding can be treated successfully via standard endoscopic therapy and PPI use, some patients suffered from continuous bleeding or recurrent bleeding later after therapeutic endoscopy according to our previous studies. It is still an important issue to reduce recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding after standard endoscopic therapy.
Previous studies have shown tranexamic acid as a well-known antifibrinolytic agents. Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding by inhibiting clot breakdown by inhibiting the degradation of fibrin by plasmin. Tranexamic acid has been proved to reduces blood loss in patients with surgical bleeding, the need for transfusion, and reduce mortality due to traumatic bleeding. It can also be used topically to reduce bleeding. Application of tranexamic acid for gastrointestinal bleeding was still controversial. HALT-IT trial showed that intravenous tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. We assume the ineffectiveness of tranexamic acid may due to intravenous use rather than local use precisely at the bleeding site. The role of endoscopic local administration of antifibrinolytic agents remains unclear. Tranexamic acid has anti-fibrinolytic effects in bleeding site, so it is reasonable that local use of tranexamic acid may have stronger efficacy than intravenous use.
We propose to investigate the effectiveness and safety when using tranexamic acid locally under endoscopic guidance in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after standard endoscopic therapy. This is an important issue because there are many patients with recurrent GI bleeding who suffered from potential risk of death. We apply tranexamic acid to the precise bleeding site, and anticipate that we can have better outcome for those patients.
Subjects and protocols Participants will be recruited from the volunteers with peptic bleeding in National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Eligible participants included patients aged ≥20 years who will accept esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for melena, hematochezia, hematemesis or coffee-ground fluid or bloody fluid drained from nasogastric tube. Patient consent form will be given to all patients before EGD. The participants will receive endoscopic survey, and we will enroll patients with peptic ulcer with major stigmata of recent hemorrhage. Major stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) include active spurting (Forrest classification Ia), oozing bleeding (Forrest classification Ib), a nonbleeding visible vessel (Forrest classification IIa) or ulcers with adherent clots (Forrest classification IIb). Exclusion criteria includes poor renal function (serum creatinine > 2.9mg/dL), tumor ulcer bleeding, allergy to tranexamic acid, whose antiplatelet agent/anticoagulation agent could not be transiently withdrawn. We will apply standard endoscopic therapy to the bleeding peptic ulcer by local injection of diluted epinephrine 1:10 000 in combination with either heater probe coagulation, hemoclipping and/or rubber band ligation. After then, we will assign the patient to either standard therapy (ST) group or extra therapy (ET) group following block randomization procedures with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Balanced combinations of equal number for the two groups were within the blocks. Blocks are then randomly chosen to determine the patients' assignment into the two groups. The allocation sequence was concealed until the researchers had randomized the patients. In the standard treatment (ST) group, the endoscopic exam ends after standard endoscopic therapy as mentioned above. In the extra treatment (ET) group, we will apply 2g tranexamic acid powder via the endoscopy to the peptic ulcer before the end of endoscopic exam. Both groups then receive a 3-day continuous high-dose (8 mg/h) PPI infusion and Rockall score assessment as current guideline's recommendation. In patients with Rockall scores ≥6, after 3-day intravenous PPI infusion, we will apply oral twice-daily PPI for 11 days followed by once-daily PPI after then. In patients with Rockall scores <6, we will apply once-daily PPI after 3-day intravenous PPI infusion. A second-look esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) will be performed 2-3 days after the initial endoscopy, aiming to survey if major SRH of peptic ulcer persists.
All enrolled patients were included in the final analysis. The patients' underlying medical disease and medication will be reviewed. For patients who received antiplatelet therapy for prophylaxis of established cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, the treatment was discontinued for 3 days after EGD. The antiplatelet therapy was resumed with clopidogrel 75 mg/day or aspirin 100 mg/day on the 4th day.
Blood tests Blood sample is obtained to measure blood urine nitrogen, creatinine, albumin, total bilirubin, hemoglobin, platelet, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). All lab data are checked by central laboratory of National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
Outcome measures All patients will be monitored for 28 days after the first EGD. The primary end point is the recurrent bleeding from a peptic ulcer during the study period. Recurrent bleeding was defined as (1) continuous melena, hematochezia or the presence of recurrent bloody drainage from a nasogastric tube and (2) relapse of hemodynamic instability, including systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, heart rate >120 bpm or a drop in hemoglobin concentration of >2 g/dL. Hemoglobin levels will be checked on days 0, 3 and 14. For each patient with suspected rebleeding, we will perform an EGD to confirm any blood or coffee-ground materials in the stomach, or the persistence of stigmata indicating recent hemorrhage. The EGD also determines whether the source of rebleeding is the peptic ulcer or other non-ulcer bleeding source.
Statistical analysis The pilot study will enroll total sixty cases, including 30 cases in the ST group and 30 cases in the ET group, respectively. Data related to baseline characteristics and end points were evaluated using the Student t test, Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test. In the survival analysis, the log-rank test was used to compare the Kaplan-Meier curves among the two study groups. All tests were two-tailed and p values <0.05 indicated significant differences.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Extra treatment (ET) group In the extra treatment (ET) group, standard endoscopic therapy will be performed to the bleeding peptic ulcer by local injection of diluted epinephrine 1:10 000 in combination with either heater probe coagulation, hemoclipping and/or rubber band ligation. Afterwards, we will apply 2g tranexamic acid powder via the endoscopy to the peptic ulcer before the end of endoscopic exam. After the first endoscopy, the patient will receive a 3-day continuous high-dose (8 mg/h) PPI infusion and Rockall score assessment as current guideline's recommendation. In patients with Rockall scores ≥6, after 3-day intravenous PPI infusion, we will apply oral twice-daily PPI for 11 days followed by once-daily PPI after then. In patients with Rockall scores <6, we will apply once-daily PPI after 3-day intravenous PPI infusion. A second-look esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) will be performed 2-3 days after the initial endoscopy, aiming to survey if major SRH of peptic ulcer persists. |
Drug: Tranexamic Acid Powder
2g tranexamic acid powder will be given via the endoscopy directly to the peptic ulcer
Other Names:
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| No Intervention: standard treatment (ST) group In the standard treatment (ST) group, the endoscopic exam ends after standard endoscopic therapy. After the first endoscopy, the patient will receive a 3-day continuous high-dose (8 mg/h) PPI infusion and Rockall score assessment as current guideline's recommendation. In patients with Rockall scores ≥6, after 3-day intravenous PPI infusion, we will apply oral twice-daily PPI for 11 days followed by once-daily PPI after then. In patients with Rockall scores <6, we will apply once-daily PPI after 3-day intravenous PPI infusion. A second-look esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) will be performed 2-3 days after the initial endoscopy, aiming to survey if major SRH of peptic ulcer persists. |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- The recurrent bleeding from a peptic ulcer [28 days]
We monitor if recurrent bleeding of a peptic ulcer occurs after the first endoscopic therapy for 28 days. Recurrent bleeding was defined as (1) continuous melena, hematochezia or the presence of recurrent bloody drainage from a nasogastric tube and (2) relapse of hemodynamic instability, including systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, heart rate >120 bpm or a drop in hemoglobin concentration of >2 g/dL. Hemoglobin levels will be checked on days 0, 3 and 14. For each patient with suspected rebleeding, we will perform an EGD to confirm any blood or coffee-ground materials in the stomach, or the persistence of stigmata indicating recent hemorrhage.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Peptic ulcer healing status on second-look EGD [2-3 days]
We check the ulcer status 2-3 days after first endoscopic treatment according to Forrest classification.
- Recurrent ulcer bleeding requiring transarterial embolization or emergent surgery [28 days]
We record if recurrent ulcer bleeding occurs and require hemostasis by emergent transarterial embolization or emergent surgery.
- The length of hospitalization [28 days]
We record the total days of hospitalization.
- The all-cause mortality [28 days]
We record all-cause mortality after the first EGD within 28 days.
- The adverse events from tranexamic acid powder [28 days]
The adverse effects includes seizures, headaches, backache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with peptic ulcer with major stigmata of recent hemorrhage receiving EGD therapy
Exclusion Criteria:
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Poor renal function (serum creatinine > 2.9mg/dL)
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Tumor ulcer bleeding
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Patients allergy to tranexamic acid
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Whose antiplatelet agent/anticoagulation agent could not be transiently withdrawn
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Cheng-Kung University Hospital | Tainan | NONE Selected | Taiwan | 704 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
Investigators
- Study Chair: Xi-Zhang Lin, M.D., National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- A-BR-110-085