Role of Octreotide in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Bleeding Secondary to Angiodysplasia in Children With Right Heart Failure

OBJECTIVES Angiodysplasia (AD) is a relatively uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in children and may be seen in right heart failure. Octreotide has been used successfully in adult patients with gastrointestinal bleeding due to ADs. METHODS We describe 2 patients who had congenital heart disease with right heart failure and gastrointestinal bleeding from AD. RESULTS AD lesions were documented on traditional endoscopy and capsule endoscopy. Bleeding resolved after initiation of IV octreotide and did not recur on subcutaneous octreotide during the 2-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Based on the successful outcomes in the 2 patients, a trial of octreotide may be considered in pediatric patients who present with gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to AD.