Vitamin K for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver diseases

Martí-Carvajal et al., 2005 | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review

Citation

Martí-Carvajal A J, Martí-Peña A J. Vitamin K for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005-Jul-20(3):CD004792

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in the course of liver cirrhosis. Several treatments are used for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver diseases. However, supplementary interventions are often used as well. One of them is vitamin K administration, but it is unknown whether it benefits or harms patients with liver disease and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. OBJECTIVES: To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin K for patients with liver disease and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (February 2004), which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearching of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2004), EMBASE (1988 to March 2004), and LILACS (1982 to March 2004). Additional randomised trials were sought from the reference lists of the trials found and reviews identified by the electronic searches. SELECTION CRITERIA: We intended to include randomised clinical trials. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We intended to summarise data by standard Cochrane Collaboration methodologies. MAIN RESULTS: We could not find any randomised trials on vitamin K for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver diseases. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to identify randomised trials on the safety and efficacy of vitamin K for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver diseases. The effects of vitamin K need to be tested in randomised clinical trials.

Key Findings

We could not find any randomised trials on vitamin K for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver diseases. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to identify randomised trials on the safety and efficacy of vitamin K for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver diseases. The effects of vitamin K need to be tested in randomised clinical trials.

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Antifibrinolytic Agents
• Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
• Humans
• Liver Diseases
• Vitamin K

Evidence Classification

• Level: Systematic Review
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
• Vertical: vitamin-k

Provenance

• PMID: 16034950
• DOI: (not available)
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09