Comparison of macroscopic abnormalities in patients receiving routine pantoprazole when compared to placebo

Methods Ten patients were evaluated (6 M:4 F; age 41.7 ± 4.3 y; admission APACHE II score 19.4 ± 1.9; pantoprazole n = 4, and placebo n = 6) from a larger prospective study, in which 209 mechanically ventilated patients were randomised to receive IV pantoprazole (40 mg) or placebo in a double-blind fashion. Patients who received ≥ 5 doses of pantoprazole/placebo (80 patients in total) were eligible for the endoscopy sub-study. Written and informed consent was obtained from the patient’s next of kin. The presence of one or more macroscopic abnormalities (erythema or oedema, erosions, ulcerations and naso-gastric tube lesions) and GI bleeding (petechial or sub-mucosal bleeding, haematoma, coffeeground material and frank blood) were assessed at endoscopy by a single experienced gastroenterologist who was blinded to the intervention. Data are mean ± SEM or median (IQR) and were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests or chi-squared tests as appropriate.