A Double Blind Study Comparing Low Dose and High Dose IV Esomeprazole After Successful Endoscopic Therapy in Patients With Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

A bleeding peptic ulcer remains a serious medical problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic therapy significantly reduces further bleeding, surgery, and mortality in patients receiving intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI）and is now recommended as the first hemostatic modality for these patients. In the past few years, adjuvant use of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) after endoscopic therapy has been endorsed in some studies, including two consensus statements and two meta-analysis. To sustain a high intragastric pH, a high dose of omeprazole has been used in previous studies concerning high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding. However, in one recent published metaanalysis found that low dose PPI may be as effective as high dose PPI in preventing further bleeding in high-risk patients. Therefore, one double blind study is needed clarify this puzzle.

We used two different doses of esomeprazole (40 mg IV q.d. and 40 mg IV q6h for three days followed by esomeprazole 40 mg q.d. orally in two groups) after successful endoscopic therapy with heat probe therapy or hemoclip placement.

The goal of this study is to assess the outcomes of two different regimens of low vs. high dose of intravenous esomeprazole after endoscopic therapy in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.