Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding that is proximal to the ligament of Treitz is considered upper GI bleeding (UGIB). UGIB can be further divided into variceal and nonvariceal, differentiated by etiology, presentation, management, and mortality. This review of nonvariceal UGIB addresses the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment (including endoscopic therapy), prognosis, and differential diagnosis. Recommendations presented are evidence based and consistent with consensus statements and society guidelines. Figures show stigmata of recent hemorrhage, endoscopic therapy, peptic ulcer disease, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, angiodysplasia, Dieulafoy lesion, and arterioenteric fistula. Tables list the manifestation of GI bleeding and the presumed source of the bleeding, clues in the symptom and presentation of the patient that may suggest the diagnosis, medical history and physical examination findings that can suggest a specific diagnosis, a comparison of different prognostic scoring systems, differential diagnosis of UGIB, various etiologies of peptic ulcer disease, and treatment regimens for Helicobacter pylori. This review contains 7 highly rendered figures, 10 tables, and 85 references