Somatostatin in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by angiodysplasia

Background: Bleeding due to gastrointestinal angiodysplasia is occasionally very difficult to treat by conventional means. Methods: A 37-year-old woman with recurrent anemia caused by angiodysplasia was treated with a somatostatin analogue, given at a dose of 100 mu g subcutaneously twice daily. Results: After 26 months of treatment the patient was without any signs or symptoms of bleeding from her gastrointestinal angiodysplasia. Conclusions: Somatostatin may be efficacious in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia. Further investigation is needed.