- This tube is used as an emergency intervention to control severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding, especially from bleeding esophageal varices
Uses
- Emergency hemorrhage control provides mechanical compression to control acute, uncontrolled upper gastrointestinal bleeding, especially from esophageal and gastric varices
- Diagnostic aid helps determine the source and/or extent of hemorrhage into the stomach by allowing the assessment of fluid return from different lumens
- Aspiration facilitates suctioning of gastric contents and accumulated blood from the stomach
Features
- Design:
- Features a 3-lumen design: one for gastric aspiration, one for esophageal balloon inflation, and one for gastric balloon inflation
- Balloons:
- Include two inflatable balloons: a 6-inch esophageal balloon and a 1.5-inch gastric balloon
- Size:
- The tube is 16 French (Fr.) in size
- Material:
- Made of X-ray opaque latex rubber for visibility under imaging and durability
- Placement:
- Can be introduced orally or through the nasal passage
- Sterility and disposal:
- It is a non-sterile, single-use product
Benefits
- Life-saving intervention:
- Offers a critical rescue measure for massive gastrointestinal bleeding when standard endoscopic or pharmacologic treatments are unavailable or unsuccessful
- Targeted pressure:
- The balloons allow precise application of pressure (tamponade) directly to the source of the bleeding varices
- Effective monitoring:
- Allows for the aspiration of gastric contents, which helps clinicians monitor the extent of ongoing bleeding and assess the effectiveness of the treatment
- Rapid response:
- As an emergency device, it can be deployed quickly in critical situations to stabilize patients for transport or while awaiting definitive care
