Compare Efficacy of Gastric Acid Suppression by Oral and Intravenous Administration of Esomeprazole in Patients With Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcer bleeding is a common medical emergency. Although primary hemostasis can be achieved by endoscopic hemostasis in more than 90% of cases, rebleeding during the first 72 hours is still common. The use of secretory inhibitors in ulcer bleeding had theoretical benefit in preventing rebleeding. In vitro, platelet aggregation and disaggregation, coagulation and fibrinolysis are strongly dependent on intra-gastric pH. When pH falls below 6.0, platelet disaggregation takes place and below 4.0, fibrin clots dissolved. Pharmacological studies have clearly shown that primed proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) infusion is superior to H2-receptor blocler (H2B) injection or infusion in maintaining high intra-gastric pH. Randomized trials had demonstrated the advantage of adjuvant use of intravenous or oral PPI in reducing rebleeding as compared to placebo. However, as Asian subjects generally have lower body weight and acid output than Caucasians, the dosage of PPI required for prevent rebleeding may be different. Lin et al had demonstrated that in an Asian population study, in order to show a significant clinical effect in prevent peptic ulcer rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis, at least a 30% difference in duration in maintaining an intragastric pH >6 must be achieved. As there is substantial cost implication of routine use of high dose intravenous PPI infusion (80mg bolus + 8mg/hour for 72 hours, cost ~HKD$1100) against high dose oral esomeprazole (40mg BD for 3 days, cost ~HKD$60), the optimal doses and routes of administration of PPI in achieving effective acid suppression is needed to be clearly defined.

Protocol:

Patients presented with bleeding peptic ulcers (melena, hememtesis) will undergo endoscopy. If clean base peptic ulcer which dos not require endoscopic treatment is diagnosed, consented patients will randomly allocated into 2 groups using sealed envelopes containing a therapeutic option derived from a randomized table.

1. Esomeprazole infusion (80mg bolus then 8mg/hour) (192mg/d)
2. Esomeprazole Tablet oral 40mg 12 hourly (80mg/d)

A pH electrode with internal reference (Synetic) was inserted transnasally and positioned 10cm below the cardia. It was calibrated before and after the pH recording with standard buffer solutions of pH 7.00 and pH 1.00. The electrode was connected to a data logger (Mircodigitrapper, Synetic). At the end of 24hours recording, the data were transfer to a personal computer for analysis. Medication will be given after insertion of intra-gastric pH monitor probe.

Outcome measures Primary Outcome: total % Time pH > 6 \& 4 Secondary outcome: Median intragastric pH \& Time to reach pH 4 and 6