Octreotide in Gastrointestinal Arteriovenous Malformations Treatment

Mechanism and Efficacy

• Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, reduces splanchnic blood flow and portal pressure, making it valuable for controlling bleeding from vascular malformations in the gastrointestinal tract 1

Dosing Protocol

• For acute bleeding management: Initial 50 μg IV bolus followed by continuous IV infusion at 50 μg/hour, and treatment duration should be 2-5 days, with shorter durations appropriate for selected patients with less severe disease 2
• Common side effects of octreotide include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and hyperglycemia; glucose levels should be monitored during treatment 2