American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 133, Issue 3, 449-451
Copyright © 1979 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Intraarterial vasopressin infusion for treatment of Mallory-Weiss tears of the esophagogastric junction
RA Clark
Five patients with refractory gastrointestinal bleeding from Mallory-Weiss tears of the esophagus were successfully treated with intraarterial infusions of vasopressin. Although transcatheter embolization has been shown to control the hemorrhage from these lesions, increased experience with and ease of vasopressin infusion suggest that infusion therapy should be the primary treatment method when more conservative measures are inadequate. Embolization techniques may be reserved for cases in which vasopressin therapy is contraindicated or unsuccessful.