The Control of Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage by Selective Mesenteric Arterial Infusion of Vasopressin

Of 48 patients given selective mesenteric arterial infusion of vasopressin for the control of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 28 were actively bleeding from varices secondary to portal hypertension, 14 were infused electively at the time of portosystemic shunt surgery, and 6 were infused because of hemorrhage from an arterial or capillary source demonstrated on prior selective arteriography. The indications, technique, and results of the vasopressin infusions are described.