Effect of Intravenously Administered Posterior Pituitary Extract on Hemorrhage from Bleeding Esophageal Varices

EFFECTIVE control of bleeding from varices (esophageal or gastric) has been reported to follow intravenous administration of posterior pituitary extract to patients with cirrhosis.1 2 3 Because both esophageal balloon tamponade and emergency surgery in these patients have inherent dangers and are not always effective4 careful evaluation of posterior pituitary extract is called for. We report herewith a controlled study of pituitary extract in this difficult clinical situation.MethodsAll patients were cared for on the wards of the Second and Fourth (Harvard) Medical Services, as previously outlined.4 In addition, gastric contents were sampled serially throughout all infusion periods by nasogastric-tube aspiration. . . .