A 50-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis presents with massive haematemesis. Endoscopy confirms actively bleeding oesophageal varices. While awaiting endoscopic band ligation, the intravenous drug given to reduce portal blood flow is:
- A Octreotide ✓
- B Propranolol
- C Terlipressin
- D Vitamin K
Correct answer: A. Octreotide
Explanation
Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, causes selective splanchnic vasoconstriction, reducing portal venous inflow and variceal pressure. It is the standard adjunct to endoscopic therapy for acute variceal bleeding. Terlipressin also works here and is preferred in hepatorenal syndrome contexts, but Indian exam convention and standard texts list octreotide as the routine pharmacologic agent for active variceal haemorrhage. Propranolol is for secondary prophylaxis, not active bleeding.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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