Platelet-rich plasma was found to show extra advantages in minimizing peptic ulcer bleeding without any vital complications.

The study aimed to examine the usefulness and additive effect of platelet-rich plasma on hemostasis and recovery of patients with actively bleeding peptic ulcer.

In total, 80 participants having peptic ulcer bleeding were initially managed by hemoclipping and were randomly selected for either additional epinephrine (n=40) or additional platelet-rich plasma (n=40) injections. Both the arms were comparatively evaluated regarding the frequency of complications and attaining hemostasis.

In both groups, hemostasis was promptly attained. Notably, two subjects (5%) in the platelet-rich plasma group and eight (20%) subjects in the epinephrine group witnessed rebleeding after 15.9±2.8 and 12.3±3.7 days, respectively. These subjects were managed with the aid of platelet-rich plasma injection besides infusion of proton pump inhibitor.

In the platelet-rich plasma arm, hemoglobin was considerably elevated, with full recovery occurring in 60.5% compared to 31.3% of subjects in the epinephrine arm. No recurrent bleeding was noted in the platelet-rich plasma group. However, 12.5% (4/32) subjects in the epinephrine group demonstrated rebleeding, as shown in Figure 1:

In people with actively bleeding peptic ulcer, using platelet-rich plasma is beneficial with no significant complications.