Sucralfate suspension versus titrated antacid for the prevention of acute stress-related gastrointestinal hemorrhage in critically ill patients

Abstract

Seventy-four medical and surgical patients having a minimum of two risk factors for stress-related gastric mucosal bleeding were prospectively selected randomly to receive prophylaxis by antacid titration (to maintain a gastric pH of more than 4) or with sucralfate suspension (1 g/10 ml every four hours). Gastric aspirates were monitored every two hours for pH and overt and occult bleeding. Despite a significantly greater severity of illness in the sucralfate group (p <0.01), no significant difference in overt or occult bleeding between the groups could be demonstrated. Low-grade occult blood loss occurred frequently in both groups, but only one of the 74 patients (four risk factors, sucralfate group) had significant stress-related bleeding as defined by preset criteria and documented by endoscopy. The effectiveness of sucralfate appeared unrelated to acid neutralization in keeping with its classification as a cytoprotective agent. There were eight antacid-related side effects (four severe diarrhea, four hypermagnesemia), and none related to sucralfate. Sucralfate suspension was safe and effective and had fewer side effects than antacid titration for the prophylaxis of stress-related bleeding in critically ill patients.