Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of vasopressin(Pitr- essin)on esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.Methods 42 cirrhotic patients with acute esophageal variceal bleeding confirmed by endoscopy were randomly divided into 2 groups and administered with Pitressin and Pituitrin for 48 hrs respectively.The balloon tubes were placed in the stomach before the treatment,and the duration of hemostatsis,volume of transfusion,rebleeding and short-term survival period were recorded.Results After 12 hrs treatment,the hemostatic rate in Pitressin group was 72.7%,significantly higher than that in Pituitrin group(40.0%,P