Precise Endoscopic Application of Tranexamic Acid and Sucralfate in Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common problem in the hospital. The annual rate of hospitalization for any type of GI hemorrhage is estimated to be 350 hospital admissions/100,000 population. GIB can be divided into upper GIB, small bowel bleeding, and lower GIB. Approximately 50% of admissions for GIB are for UGI bleeding (from the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum), 40% are for LGI bleeding (from the colon and anorectum), and 10% are for small intestine bleeding. Ulceration bleeding, variceal bleeding, angiodysplasia, Dieulafoy lesion, and tumor bleeding are common cause for UGIB, while diverticulosis, colitis, angioectasia, cancer bleeding, and polypectomy ulcer attribute to the LGIB. GI endoscopy can identify the bleeding site and permit therapeutic hemostasis in most patients with GI bleeding.

Endoscopic hemostasis includes epinephrine injection, hemoclipping, heat probe coagulation, and Argon plasma coagulation. Although the successful hemostasis rate is high, recurrent bleeding can occur, ranging from 10% to 50% according to the bleeding etiology. Therefore, how to reduce the rebleeding of GIB is an important clinical issue.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a well-known antifibrinolytic agent that inhibits fibrin degradation by binding to tissue plasminogen, thereby preventing blood clot lysis and reducing bleeding. A recent study evaluating the effect of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) powder on bleeding peptic ulcers demonstrated that the precise endoscopic administration of TXA powder can enhance the stop-bleeding effect.

Sucralfate, a complex of aluminum hydroxide and sucrose octa sulfate, can bind to the wound base. This protective barrier can prevent the wound from further environmental injury. Sucralfate has been widely used for wounds and ulcer treatment, e.g., skin wounds, oral ulcers, and peptic ulcers. With the protective effect of the papilla mucosa, sucralfate can cover the wound and has the potential to avoid further environmental damage. In combination with TXA powder in stabilizing the clotting, we expect the rebleeding event will reduce. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the combination therapy of topical administration of TXA and sucralfate after standard endoscopic hemostasis can reduce the rebleeding event.

Furthermore, the adhesion time of the hemostasis powder at the bleeding site is also an unknown issue. High-dose barium enema use provides better clinical outcomes for initial hemostasis and long-term prevention of rebleeding than conservative therapy in LGIB. In combination of barium, the position of hemostasis powder can be identified by Xray.

Subjects and protocols Participants will be recruited from the volunteers with gastrointestinal bleeding at National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Eligible participants include patients aged ≥ 18 years who accept endoscopy for GIB, including hematemesis, Tarry stool, or bloody stool. Patient consent forms will be given and explained to all patients before the endoscopy. Exclusion criteria include patients with no need of endoscopic hemostasis, allergy to sucralfate, tranexamic acid, or barium, pregnancy, and patients with hollow organ perforation. After patient enrollment, we will randomize the patient into either the intervention group or control group by sealed envelope randomization method.

After the standard endoscopic hemostasis by either epinephrine injection, hemoclipping, heat coagulation, or band ligation, we will randomly assign the patients to either a control or an intervention group. After then, we will spray 2g of sucralfate powder, 1g of tranexamic acid powder, and 1g of barium through the endoscopy precisely on the bleeding site in the intervention group.

Blood tests As ward routine for bleeding patient, a blood sample is obtained to measure creatinine, albumin, total bilirubin, hemoglobin, platelet, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). All lab data are checked by the central laboratory of the National Cheng Kung University Hospital.