Fibre-optic endoscopy was compared prospectively with double-contrast radiology in 53 consecutive patients admitted with acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The bleeding site was correctly identified by endoscopy in 94% of patients and the final diagnosis was correctly given in 89%. The corresponding figures with radiology were 83% and 74%. Among the 50 patients with a final diagnosis of a blee...

Intensivists are regularly confronted with the question of gastrointestinal bleeding. To date, the latest international recommendations regarding prevention and treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding lack a specific approach to the critically ill patients. We present recommendations for management by the intensivist of gastrointestinal bleeding in adults and children, developed with the GRADE ...

BACKGROUND Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been associated with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Given their worldwide use, even small risks account for a large number of cases. This study has been conducted with carefully collected information to further investigate the relationship between SSRIs and upper GI bleeding. METHODS We conducted a case-control study in ho...

OBJECTIVE Acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) hemorrhage is a common, often serious condition encountered in the emergency department (ED). Previous research has suggested that transfusion of blood products may interfere with the hypercoagulable state induced by significant blood loss. Our objective was to determine whether the frequency of rebleeding is higher in patients with UGI bleeding who ...

• To use clinical clues to differentiate between upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage • To examine results of vital signs, blood tests, and nasogastric aspirate to assess severity of GI hemorrhage and define immediate resuscitative measures • To define the common causes of GI hemorrhage in the intensive care unit (ICU) • To develop a diagnostic strategy and plan of management • To d...

Acute haemorrhagic gastritis is one of the most frequent causes of severe upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. In series in which a positive diagnosis is made by endoscopy or laparotomy the incidence is approximately 25 %1,2,3. It is frequently related to recent aspirin ingestion5 and is also seen after major surgery or trauma ('stress' ulcers),6 but may occasionally appear in the absence of any...

Acute haemorrhagic gastritis is one of the most frequent causes of severe upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. In series in which a positive diagnosis is made by endoscopy or laparotomy the incidence is approximately 25 %1,2,3. It is frequently related to recent aspirin ingestion5 and is also seen after major surgery or trauma ('stress' ulcers),6 but may occasionally appear in the absence of any...

Acute lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage secondary to small bowel ascariasis is extremely rare. A high level of suspicion should be maintained when dealing with acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage in migrants and travellers. Small bowel examination is warranted when carefully repeated upper and lower endoscopies have failed to elicit the source of bleeding. Appropriate test selection is determin...

Acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common indication for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the United States, with over 300,000 admissions per year (1). Most (75%) of these arise from the upper GI tract. Despite advances in critical care medicine, the mortality associated with upper GI bleeding has not changed and remains about 10%, likely due to aging of the population and i...