Alternative approach to hemostatic particle spraying for treatment of GI bleeding by the use of cross-platform devices.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

GI bleeding is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with an estimated 20,000 deaths per year. Some subgroups of patients show refractory recurrent bleeding despite standard endoscopic therapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a hemostatic spray for clinical use in nonvariceal bleeding. Despite its efficacy, not all endoscopy units have access to this spray, at times because of cost. Our aim was to determine the safety and efficacy of a plant-based hemostatic particle spray in nonvariceal GI bleeding by use of a cross-platform setup.

METHOD

We present 3 cases in which plant-based particle spray was used for hemostasis with a cross-platform delivery system. Conventional therapies failed in the first 2 cases, and in the third case hemostatic particle spray was used as a primary therapy.

RESULTS

Successful immediate hemostasis was achieved in all 3 patients. No immediate adverse events or recurrence of bleeding was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Plant-based hemostatic particle spray is safe and effective as a temporizing measure in refractory ulcer and postnecrosectomy cavity bleeding. Further studies are needed to establish the safety and comparative efficacy of plant-based hemostatic powder. The cross-platform system used here for plant-based hemostatic particle spray presents a less-expensive alternative in selected cases.