Endoscopic topical application of Ankaferd Blood Stopper for neoplastic gastrointestinal bleeding: A retrospective analysis

Aim: The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the haemostatic efficacy of the endoscopic topical use of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) in the setting of neoplastic GI bleeding. Methods: The records of 10 patients with neoplastic GI bleeding (7 gastric, 3 rectal) were evaluated retrospectively. Written informed consent regarding the off-label use of ABS as a means of attaining haemostasis had been obtained from all of the patients prior to the procedure. In all patients, ABS was applied topically. Rates of bleeding control and post-procedural complications were documented. Results: Haemostasis was achieved in all patients within seconds of endoscopic application of ABS, with no immediate complications. Seven patients underwent subsequent cancer surgery after a bleeding-free post-procedural period. Conclusions: ABS as a novel haemostatic agent could have a potential benefit in controlling bleeding from GI tumours. Prospective controlled studies are needed to help establish its efficacy, and perhaps offer a comparison to conventional haemostatic interventions. (C) 2009 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.