Gastrointestinal Bleeding In Patients Research Articles

Widespread use of proton pump inhibitors or potassium-competitive acid blocker has changed the status of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with ischemic heart disease: real-world data from high volume centers

BackgroundAlthough proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) are useful in peptic ulcer prevention, their efficacy in preventing other gastrointestinal bleeding remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the status of gastrointestinal bleeding in the modern era when PPIs are widely used.MethodsThis study included patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2018 and 2019 at two high-volume centers. Patients were categorized based on whether they experienced gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 years of PCI into groups A (patients who experienced gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 years after PCI) and B (patients who did not experience gastrointestinal bleeding).ResultsGroups A and B included 21 (4.1%) and 494 (95.9%) patients, respectively (a total of 515 patients). Age at the initial PCI (77.8±2.4 and 72.0±0.5 years in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.02), weight (53.8±3.2 and 61.8±0.7 kg in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.01), and concomitant warfarin use (14.3% and 2.0% in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.0005) were significantly different between the groups. The high bleeding risk rate (90.5% and 47.6% in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.0001) was significantly different between the groups. A total of 95.9% of patients were taking PPIs or PCAB without significant differences between the groups. However, only one patient, who was taking steroids, had a gastric ulcer during PCAB treatment.ConclusionsAcid-related upper gastrointestinal bleeding is largely controlled by PPIs in post-PCI patients. Furthermore, the risk factors for non-acid-related bleeding include older age, lower weight, and concomitant warfarin use.

Risk factors and management of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with or without antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy: a multicenter real-world prospective study

BackgroundAntiplatelet and anticoagulation drugs complicate acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) patients. Limited data about the risk factors and patient management has been presented. This study explored the association between previous antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug usage and clinical outcomes in GIB patients to improve awareness further and optimize treatment.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, non-interventional, real-world prospective study in 106 hospitals in 23 provinces in China. GIB patients confirmed in the emergency department were included and were grouped according to previous drug histories. Univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression, and multivariate stratification models were performed separately to investigate the associations.ResultsA total of 2299 patients (57.23 ± 17.21 years old, 68.3% male) were included, of whom 20.1% and 2.9% received antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, respectively. The all-cause 28-day mortality rates in patients without antiplatelet or anticoagulants, patients undergoing antiplatelet treatment, and patients with anticoagulation therapy were 2.8%, 4.6%, and 10.5%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, both antiplatelet [odd ratio (OR), 2.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.48–5.76; p = 0.002] and anticoagulation therapy (OR, 8.87; 95% CI, 3.02–26.02; p < 0.001) were associated with higher 28-day mortality. In the subgroup analysis, blood transfusion, especially red blood cell transfusion, in patients undergoing antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy was associated with a decreased death risk.ConclusionWe confirmed an association between concurrent antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy in GIB patients and elevated 28-day mortality. Blood transfusions could improve poor outcomes in such patients.

Risk Factors and Prognosis Analysis of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Acute Severe Cerebral Stroke.

We aim to explore the relationship between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). We develop a nomogram model to predict mortality in critically ill stroke patients. This is a retrospective study based on the MIMIC IV database. We extracted clinical information including demographic data, comorbidities, and laboratory indicators. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess and identify risk factors for the occurrence of UGIB and for the in-hospital mortality of critically ill stroke patients. The resulting model was used to construct a nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality. Five thousand seven hundred sixteen patients from the MIMIC-IV database were included in our analysis. UGIB occurred in 109 patients (1.9%), whereas the PPI use rate was as high as 60.6%. Chronic liver disease, sepsis, shock, anemia, and increased level of urea nitrogen were independent risk factors for the occurrence of UGIB in severe stroke patients. We identified age, heart failure, shock, coagulopathy, mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy, antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulation, simplified acute physiology score-II, and Glasgow coma score as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in severe stroke patients. The C-index for the final nomograms was 0.852 (95% confidence interval: 0.840, 0.864). We found that the overall rate of UGIB in severe stroke patients is low, whereas the rate of PPI usage is high. In our study, PPI was not identified as a risk factor for the occurrence of UGIB and UGIB was not associated with all-cause mortality. More clinical trials are needed to evaluate the benefits of using PPI in critically ill stroke patients.

Reply: Tranexamic acid in upper gastrointestinal bleed in patients with cirrhosis - A randomized controlled trial.

Reply: Tranexamic acid in upper gastrointestinal bleed in patients with cirrhosis - A randomized controlled trial.

Letter to Editor: Tranexamic acid in upper gastrointestinal bleed in patients with cirrhosis - a randomized controlled trial.

Letter to Editor: Tranexamic acid in upper gastrointestinal bleed in patients with cirrhosis - a randomized controlled trial.

Which scale is best to assess the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with stable coronary artery disease in the Russian population?

Which scale is best to assess the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with stable coronary artery disease in the Russian population?

Gastrointestinal bleeding risk factors in type A aortic dissection post-aortic arch replacement.

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a notable complication in patients diagnosed with aortic dissection (AD). We evaluated the outcomes and identified the risk factors associated with GIB in patients with AD. A retrospective case-control study was conducted on patients diagnosed with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) who underwent total aortic arch replacement (TAAR) at our institution from July 2021 to July 2023. Comprehensive clinical data, laboratory findings, and imaging results were meticulously gathered and analyzed to identify potential risk factors linked to GIB in this patient cohort. Of the 198 AD patients who underwent TAAR, 38 (19.2%) developed postoperative GIB (GIB group), with a median interval of 7 days between surgery and bleeding onset. The GIB group exhibited significantly higher mortality (26.3% vs. 3.1%, P<0.001), prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay {15 [interquartile range (IQR), 8-25] vs. 7 (IQR, 5-12) days, P<0.001}, and extended duration of ventilation [168 (IQR, 120-372) vs. 71 (IQR, 34-148) hours, P<0.001] compared to the control group (n=160, 80.8%). Logistic regression analysis identified age >54 years [odds ratio (OR): 3.529], intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion >600 mL (OR: 3.865), and concomitant celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) hypoperfusion (OR: 15.974) as independent risk factors for GIB in AD patients. GIB subsequent to TAAR in AD patients is linked to adverse prognosis. Factors such as advanced age, extensive intraoperative transfusion, and gastrointestinal (GI) perfusion abnormalities may heighten the risk of GIB in this patient population.

Assessment of Severity Level of Gastrointestinal Bleeding Patients with Associated Cardiology Disease with Different Scales

The purpose of this study is to select and compare a range of rating scales to assess the clinical status of high-risk patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). It was based on the evaluation of the severity of the disease by applying different integral scales in patients with heart disease and developing acute GIB. We evaluated the condition of the patients with Forest (F), Rockall and Glasgow-Blatkford integral scales. We achieved endoscopic homeostasis in 11.81% of patients. We managed to cure 69.15% of patients with conservative treatment and 19.04% with surgical treatment. According to the results of the Rockall scale, 23.63% of high-risk patients and 31.73% of higher-risk patients (total 55.36%) were. However, 19.04% of patients with a severity score above 6 required surgery. Based on these results, we believe that in patients with heart disease and GIB, the severity of the patient’s condition and the Glasgow-Blatkford integral scale are more appropriate in choosing the treatment protocol to be selected.

Patients’ Pharmacogenetic Characteristics and the Risk of Adverse Reactions to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Clinical Cases

SCIENTIFIC RELEVANCE. The variability in patient response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be due to genetic polymorphisms. Decreased-function or non-functional CYP2C9 alleles are known to be significant contributors to response variability, and research is being conducted on the potential contribution of polymorphisms in the PTGS1 and PTGS2 genes that encode for the NSAID targets, cyclooxygenases 1 and 2.AIM. This study aimed to demonstrate the contribution of pharmacogenetic characteristics to the development of adverse reactions to NSAIDs in clinical cases.MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study reports two clinical cases observed in a multidisciplinary hospital in Moscow. The first clinical case demonstrates a neurosurgical patient with spondylodiscitis who showed signs of renal failure associated with ketorolac administration during 13 days of inpatient treatment. The second clinical case presents a patient with gastrointestinal bleeding that developed after 3 weeks of ketorolac self-administration and ultimately required gastric resection surgery. According to real-time polymerase chain reaction results, these patients have single-nucleotide polymorphisms, including rs179985 (CYP2C9*2) and rs1057910 (CYP2C9*3) in the CYP2C9 gene, rs10306135 and rs12353214 in the PTGS1 gene, and rs20417 in the PTGS2 gene.RESULTS. The described adverse reactions to ketorolac are attributable to the patients’ pharmacogenetic characteristics and other factors (exceeding the recommended duration of ketorolac therapy, concomitant conditions, drug interactions, and older age). In the case of nephrotoxicity, the patient has the CYP2C9*1/*2 genotype, which is associated with decreased NSAID metabolism. Additionally, this patient has the PTGS1 (C&gt;T) rs12353214 genotype, which may be associated with variations in the activity of cyclooxygenase 1 and may lead to an increased risk of adverse reactions to NSAIDs. In the case of gastrointestinal bleeding, the patient also has genetic characteristics that affect the response to NSAIDs, as the CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype is associated with significantly decreased NSAID metabolism. Patients with this genotype should take the lowest doses or switch to alternatively metabolised NSAIDs.CONCLUSIONS. To reduce the risk of nephrotoxicity and gastrointestinal bleeding in patients when prescribing ketorolac, healthcare providers should strictly follow the recommended dosing regimen and consider individual comorbidities and potential drug interactions that may potentiate adverse drug reactions. Additionally, patient risk management requires pharmacogenetic testing, including the determination of decreased-function or non-functional CYP2C9 alleles and the rs12353214 polymorphism in the PTGS1 gene.

Tranexamic acid in upper gastrointestinal bleed in patients with cirrhosis: A randomized controlled trial.

Patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B and C cirrhosis with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) have systemic as well as localized (in the mucosa of the esophagus and stomach) fibrinolysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in the treatment of acute UGIB in patients with cirrhosis. A total of 600 patients with advanced liver cirrhosis (Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B or C) presenting with UGIB were randomly allocated to either the tranexamic acid (n=300) or the placebo group (n=300). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients developing 5-day treatment failure. Failure to control bleeding by day 5 was seen in 19/300 (6.3%) patients in the tranexamic acid group and 40/300 (13.3%) patients in the placebo group ( p =0.006). Esophageal endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) site as a source of failure to control bleeding by day 5 among patients undergoing first-time esophageal EVL (excluding patients with a previous post-EVL ulcer as a source of bleed) was seen in 11/222 (4.9%) patients in the tranexamic acid group and 27/225 (1212.0%) patients in the placebo group ( p =0.005). However, 5-day and 6-week mortality was similar in the tranexamic acid and placebo groups. Tranexamic acid significantly reduces the failure to control bleeding by day 5 and failure to prevent rebleeding after day 5 to 6 weeks in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis (Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B or C) presenting with UGIB, by preventing bleeding from the EVL site.

Value of multidetector computed tomography angiography in severe non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a retrospective study in a referral bleeding unit.

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common gastroenterological emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is currently recommended as the gold standard modality for both diagnosis and treatment. As historically played a limited role in the diagnosis of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, multidetector-row computed tomography angiography is emerging as a promising tool in the diagnosis of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, especially for severe cases. However, to date, evidence concerning the role of multidetector-row computed tomography angiography in the non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding diagnosis is still lacking. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the diagnostic performance of emergent multidetector-row computed tomography angiography performed prior to any diagnostic modality or following urgent upper endoscopy to identify the status, the site, and the underlying etiology of severe non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Institutional databases were reviewed in order to identify severe acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding patients who were admitted to our bleeding unit and were referred for emergent multidetector-row computed tomography angiography prior to any hemostatic treatment (< 3h) or following (< 3h) endoscopy, between December 2019 and October 2022. The study aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of multidetector-row computed tomography angiography to detect the status, the site, and the etiology of severe non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding with endoscopy, digital subtraction angiography, surgery, pathology, or a combination of them as reference standards. A total of 68 patients (38 men, median age 69years [range 25-96]) were enrolled. The overall multidetector-row computed tomography angiography sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy to diagnose bleeding status were 77.8% (95% CI: 65.5-87.3), 40% (95% CI: 5.3-85.3), and 75% (95% CI: 63.0-84.7), respectively. Finally, the overall multidetector-row computed tomography angiography sensitivity to identify the bleeding site and the bleeding etiology were 92.4% (95% CI: 83.2-97.5) and 79% (95% CI: 66.8-88.3), respectively. Although esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the mainstay in the diagnosis and treatment of most non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding cases, multidetector-row computed tomography angiography seems to be a feasible and effective modality in detecting the site, the status, and the etiology of severe acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It may play a crucial role in the management of selected cases of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, especially those clinically severe and/or secondary to rare and extraordinary rare sources, effectively guiding timing and type of treatment. However, further large prospective studies are needed to clarify the role of multidetector-row computed tomography angiography in the diagnostic process of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Predictors of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome and the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy.

This study aims to estimate the risk factors of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to evaluate the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We enrolled 1266 patients with ACS in a telephone follow-up program to determine whether any of the patients were hospitalized for GI bleeding. We collected baseline data, laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, and echocardiography covering all ACS patients. Multivariable regression was performed to adjust for confounders and predictors of GI bleeding. At the same time, the optimal duration of DAPT for ACS patients was evaluated. A total of 1061 ACS patients were included in the study. After 13-68 months, 48 patients (4.5%) were hospitalized for GI bleeding. The risk of GI bleeding was significantly increased in patients treated with DAPT for more than 18 months (hazard ratio 12.792, 5.607-29.185, P < 0.01). Receiver Operating Characteristic curve showed that the duration of DAPT using a cutoff of 14.5 months resulted in a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 77%. In patients with ACS, DAPT time are the main risk factors of GI bleeding. The optimal duration of DAPT is 14.5 months.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Venous Thromboembolism Receiving Edoxaban in the Real World.

The effectiveness and safety of edoxaban for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in unselected real-world patients have not been fully evaluated.Methods and Results: In the Japanese nationwide administrative database, we identified 6,262 VTE patients in whom edoxaban was initiated; these patients were divided into 3 groups based on their index doses: 15 mg/day (n=235), 30 mg/day (n=4,532), and 60 mg/day (n=1,495). We evaluated patient characteristics, recurrent VTEs, and a composite endpoint of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Patient characteristics among the 15-, 30-, and 60-mg edoxaban groups varied widely regarding several aspects, including age (mean 81.0, 76.2, and 65.0 years, respectively) and body weight (mean 49.5, 51.8, and 70.3 kg, respectively). At 180 days, the cumulative incidence of recurrent VTEs in the 15-, 30-, and 60-mg edoxaban groups was 4.4%, 2.6%, and 1.8%, respectively, whereas that of ICH or GI bleeding was 7.3%, 5.4%, and 3.3%, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that the cumulative incidence of ICH or GI bleeding in patients in the 15-mg edoxaban group was 3.6% for patients aged ≥80 years, 8.4% for those with a body weight <60 kg, and 31.3% for those with renal dysfunction. Only a minority of patients with VTEs received a super low dose (15 mg) of edoxaban, and these patients may be at higher risk of bleeding as well as VTE recurrence.

Gastrointestinal bleeding among 151 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for end-stage renal failure: A 5-year follow-up study.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is one serious complication of patients undergoing hemodialysis with end-stage renal failure. The present study aimed to evaluate risks and clinical features of real-world clinical data on upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients undergoing hemodialysis during a 5-year longitudinal observation period. This study included 151 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at Takagi Hospital between December 2017 and December 2022. Clinical data from December 2017 were recorded, and upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, mortality, prescribed medications, and bone fractures were examined during the five-year observation period. Of 151 patients, 32 (21.2%:4.2% per year) experienced bleeding, 24 had upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 7 had lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and one had an unknown origin of bleeding. Ulcers or erosions primarily cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding without Helicobacter pylori infection, whereas patients with H pylori eradication are more likely to experience bleeding caused by vascular lesions, often accompanied by underlying comorbidities. The prophylactic effects of proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor blockers were limited in hemodialysis patients, as 15 out of 24 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (62.5%) were prescribed these medications. The mortality rate in patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (71.4%) was higher than that in those without bleeding (33.6%) (P < .05). All patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding were prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or aspirin. In this study, endoscopic hemostasis was successfully achieved. The present study indicated that the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding during hemodialysis was relatively high. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding may develop even with the prescription of proton pump inhibitors. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding was a complication in hemodialysis patients under serious pathological condition with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and or aspirin.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients: A Comprehensive Analysis of Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an intervention for severe heart and lung failure; however, it poses the risk of complications, including gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Comprehensive analyses of GIB in patients undergoing ECMO are limited, and its impact on clinical outcomes remains unclear. This retrospective study included 484 patients who received venovenous and venoarterial ECMO between January 2015 and December 2022. Data collected included patient characteristics, laboratory results, GIB details, and interventions. Statistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors and assess the outcomes. GIB occurred in 44 of 484 patients (9.1%) who received ECMO. Multivariable analysis revealed that older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.06; p=0.0130) and need to change the ECMO mode (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.75-7.96; p=0.0006) were significant risk factors for GIB, whereas no association was found with antiplatelet or systemic anticoagulation therapies during ECMO management. Half of the patients with GIB (22/44, 50%) underwent intervention, with endoscopy as the primary modality (19/22, 86.4%). Patients who underwent ECMO and developed GIB had higher rates of mortality (40/44 [90.9%] vs. 262/440 [59.5%]) and ECMO weaning failure (38/44 [86.4%] vs. 208/440 [47.3%]). GIB in patients undergoing ECMO is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased risks of mortality and weaning failure. Even in seemingly uncomplicated cases, it is crucial to avoid underestimating the significance of GIB.

Pre- and Post-Implant Endoscopy in Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients: A Single-Center Experience.

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is common in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) patients, but the optimal screening approach before LVAD implantation is still unclear. The aim of the study was to describe our experience with pre- and post-LVAD implantation endoscopic screening and subsequent GI bleeding in this cohort. A retrospective review was conducted among all patients who underwent LVAD implantation at Saint Luke's Hospital, between 2010 and 2020. The data were reviewed to determine the yield and safety of endoscopic procedures performed within 1 month before LVAD placement and the incidence of GIB within 1 year after implantation. A total of 167 LVAD patients met the inclusion criteria, and 23 underwent pre-implantation endoscopic evaluation. Angiodysplasia had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of 9.41 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.01 - 44.09) in post-LVAD endoscopy, while there was no significant difference in bleeding from other sources such as peptic ulcer disease or diverticular bleeding. There was no difference in the incidence of GIB in patients who underwent endoscopic evaluation pre-LVAD compared to post-LVAD GIB (32.6% vs. 39.1%, P = 0.64). Endoscopy was well-tolerated in this cohort, and argon plasma coagulation was the most commonly used intervention to achieve hemostasis. According to our results, we recommend against routine pre-LVAD endoscopic screening. Instead, we suggest an individualized approach, where decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Hemospray Versus Conventional Therapy for Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hemospray (TC-325; Cook Medical, Winston-Salem, NC) has been used effectively in hemostasis in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Current guidelines suggest using Hemospray as a temporizing measure or adjunct technique. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hemospray as a modality for primary hemostasis. We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases from inception to August 1, 2022. Three independent reviewers performed a comprehensive review of all original articles describing the application of Hemospray as the primary method of hemostasis in non-variceal upper GI bleeding patients. Three reviewers independently reviewed and abstracted data and assessed study quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Primary outcomes were (1) primary hemostasis rate, (2)rebleeding rate until hospital discharge or death, (3)need for surgery, and (4) overall mortality rate. Of the 211 studies identified, 146 underwent title and abstract review, and four were included in the systematic review. Pooled results from 303 patients showed that compared to standard of care, Hemospray has significantly higher odds of primary hemostasis (OR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.09-11.18, p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of rebleeding rates (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.24-2.55, p = 0.69), need for surgery (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 0.35-7.41, p = 0.54), or overall mortality (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.56-2.08, p = 0.83). This systematic review and meta-analysis provethat Hemospray is a better modality of primary hemostasis in non-variceal upper GI bleeding when used as a primary method. At the same time, there is no significant difference in complications, including rebleeding, need for surgical intervention, and all-cause mortality.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Literature Review.

Stroke is an infarction of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, or retina) that results from a disruption in cerebral blood flow either due to ischemia or hemorrhage. Complications of acute stroke are common and include pneumonia, urinary tract infection, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism, among several others, all of which increase the risk of poor clinical outcomes. Gastrointestinal bleeding is a well-known complication that can occur during the acute phase of stroke. In this review, we have summarized the existing data regarding the incidence, pathophysiology, risk factors, morbidity, mortality, and management strategies for gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Causes and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in referral hospitals in Rwanda: a prospective study

INTRODUCTION: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common emergency that results in significant morbidity and mortality. In Rwanda, data on causes and outcomes are lacking. The aim of this study was to identify the causes and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients referred to tertiary referral centers.&#x0D; METHODS: This is an observational prospective study for which we enrolled all patients who presented with presumed upper gastrointestinal bleeding and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We studied causes and outcomes during 3 months of follow-up after initial presentation from February 2019 to September 2019.&#x0D; RESULTS: We enrolled 194 participants. The mean age was 49.6 ± 17.66 years. The common causes of upper GI bleeding were peptic ulcer disease in 82 (43.3%) patients, esophageal varices 32 (16.5%), gastric malignancies 22 (11.3%), and gastritis 21 (10.8%). The upper GI endoscopy was reported to be normal in only 20 cases (10.3%). The mortality and rebleeding rates after 3 months were 37 (19.07%) and 70 (36%) respectively. The esophageal varices were associated with increased rebleeding (OR: 10.791, P value &lt;0.001), while gastric cancer was associated with increased mortality (OR: 4.405, P value 0.008).&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a considerable problem in Rwandan teaching hospitals. Our findings are in agreement with the reported causes of upper GI bleeding worldwide. From this study, we consider that variceal hemorrhage and peptic ulcer may have the potential to be better managed.

Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Prevalence, Outcomes, and Correlation with MELD Score in an Indian Tertiary Care Facility

Background: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is responsible for 25 percent of overall GI bleeding patients in the general population. In the US, the LGIB incidence is thought to be 21–27/100,000 per year, while the rate of hospitalization is thought to be 20–30/100,000 per year. According to reports, 2–4% of patients hospitalized with LGIB die. Despite the fact that upper GI complications associated with portal hypertension have received a lot of attention, few studies have explored lower GI complications. Objective: To study the prevalence and 28-day outcome of patients hospitalized with lower gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhosis and its correlation with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). Method: A single center-based cross-sectional study was conducted for a duration of eighteen months. The main source of data is from patients hospitalized at the Department of General Medicine and Department of Medical Gastroenterology at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM hospital, with a minimum of 100 cases. Results: Out of 100 patients, internal hemorrhoids were observed in 50 patients, external hemorrhoids were found only in 1 patient, and rectal varices were present in 17 patients. The MELD score for the 28th day outcome was found to be 21.85 on follow-up. It was 27.0 in discharged patients by the 28th day. Conclusions: An essential element of the condition, portal hypertension, appears to be responsible for the poor prognosis.