Newer agents available for treatment of stress-related upper gastrointestinal tract mucosal damage

Results of animal studies and human clinical trials assessing the efficacy of newer agents in the treatment of stress-related mucosal damage have been reviewed. Currently available data suggest that prostaglandin treatment is as effective in preventing and treating stress-induced mucosal injury as more established therapeutic modalities, but that the proposed efficacy of somatostatin infusion and tranexamic acid administration is highly suspect. Promising agents yet to be evaluated include omeprazole, allopurinol, and epidermal growth factor.