Major Stigmata Of Recent Hemorrhage Research Articles

A216 MODERATE TO SEVERE ACUTE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN RURAL NORTHERN ONTARIO: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AETIOLOGIES, GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATIONS, AND OUTCOMES

Abstract Background Hospitalizations for upper gastrointestinal bleeds (UGIBs) are resource-demanding as they often require blood transfusion, endoscopy, and intensive care unit admission. Referral centers that provide higher levels of care to remote regions treat illnesses, including UGIB, in much later stages of disease and of higher severity. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center (TBRHSC) is a referral center servicing over 250,000 people over a geographically expansive region of Northern Ontario. Despite known barriers to accessing care, little data is currently available to guide our understanding of UGIB aetiologies, severity, and outcomes among patients living remotely in Canada. Aims This retrospective study aimed to evaluate epidemiological data among patients with UGIB at TBRHSC. Methods Of 441 patients with a discharge diagnosis of gastrointestinal hemorrhage from 2016–2022, inclusion criteria were met for 333. Patients under 18 y or with lower GIB were excluded. Patients were classified as regional if their primary address was outside the District of Thunder Bay. Results Patients were highly comorbid (median CCI = 5) and presented with a median (IQR) GBS of 9 (6) and Clinical Rockall Score of 3 (1). Of those who received inpatient endoscopy (n=248), findings included erosive gastritis (21%), gastric ulcer (14%), esophagitis (12%), duodenal ulcer (8%), AVM (7%), and variceal (6%). No definite lesion was observed in 62 patients (22%). The median (IQR) Complete Rockall Score was 4 (2) with major stigmata of recent hemorrhage found in 20%. There was a high prevalence (19%) of cirrhosis, of which 83% had a history of liver decompensation. In 49% of cirrhotic patients, culprit lesions did not include portal hypertensive gastropathy or variceal bleeding. Regional patients accounted for 14% of the population and travelled an average of 424 km to seek care at TBRHSC. Regional patients were younger and required more ICU admissions (p=0.01). ICU admission primarily due to UGIB was 5.4% and all-cause thirty-day mortality was 3.3%. Oral anti-coagulation use prevalence was 43.2% and was associated with a longer length of stay (pampersand:003C0.0001), higher proportion of all-cause 30-day mortality (pampersand:003C0.005). Forty-eight patients did not receive endoscopy due to bleeding stability, palliation, and preference. Conclusions Patients with UGIB at TBRHSC are a highly multimorbid population with a significantly burden of anticoagulant use, cirrhosis, and variceal bleeding. Comparative analysis with metropolitan centers will expand our understanding for providing UGIB care in Northern Ontario. Funding Agencies NOAMA

A142 PROGNOSTICATING FACTORS AND OUTCOMES OF EARLY ENDOSCOPIC EVALUATION IN ACUTE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING

Abstract Background Current guidelines recommend esophagogastroduodenal endoscopy (EGD) early (ampersand:003C24 hours after presentation) for all suspected acute upper gastrointestinal bleeds (AUGIB). Among referral centers providing advanced tiers of care to large regions, treatment is often delayed secondary to geographic constraints. Metropolitan centers meet early EGD recommendations in up to 87.5% of patients. Some centers limit endoscopy to the ICU setting outside of normal hospital operational times. There is currently no data assessing Canadian referral center endoscopic timing, including factors delaying AUGIB endoscopy and outcomes. Aims The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of early EGD in AUGIB at a Northern Ontario referral center. Factors associated with delayed EGD and poor outcomes associated with AUGIB were also evaluated. Methods Of 441 patients retrospectively identified with an ICD-10 discharge diagnosis of gastrointestinal hemorrhage from 2016–22, 327 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients were excluded if they were below the age of 18 years at the time of presentation, had chronic UGIB, or lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Results Pre-endoscopic risk stratification via GBS and clinical Rockall score was high at 10 and 3, respectively. There were 279 patients who received early EGD for AUGIB, of which 56% were male. The median (IQR) time to endoscopy was 27.4 (29.3) hours with early EGD achieved in 46% of presentations. A significantly greater proportion of patients presenting to hospital on the weekend (n=105) had delayed EGD (pampersand:003C0.0001; Phi effect size 0.45). Patients presenting at times when EGD was unavailable (n=157) also experienced delayed EGD (pampersand:003C0.05). regional patients did not experience a greater proportion of delayed EGD. In multivariate analysis, presentation on the weekend, higher CCI, absence of pre-existing evidence of liver cirrhosis, and absence of major stigmata of recent hemorrhage on EGD were independent predictors of delayed EGD (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.379, pampersand:003C0.0001). The odds ratio for receiving late EGD was 8.9 times greater (95% CI 3.7–21.3) for patients presenting on the weekend (pampersand:003C0.0001). Longer endoscopy wait time was significant correlated with higher pre-EGD blood transfusions and longer length of stay (pampersand:003C0.001). Delayed EGD did not increase all-cause 30-day mortality. Conclusions Prevalence of delayed EGD in AUGIB was markedly elevated and associated with hospital presentation during times of limited endoscopic capabilities. Outcomes of delayed GED included increased length of stay and higher blood transfusion rates. Funding Agencies NOAMA

The Importance of Arterial Blood Flow Detection for Risk Stratification and Eradication to Achieve Definitive Hemostasis of Severe Non-Variceal UGI Hemorrhage.

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common medical problem worldwide. Independent endoscopic risk factors for rebleeding and mortality of NVUGIB that are treatable are stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) and arterial blood flow underneath SRH. The specific aims of this paper are to describe the importance of arterial blood flow detection for risk stratification and as a guide to definitive hemostasis of severe NVUGIB. This is a review of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort study methodologies and results which utilized a Doppler endoscopic probe (DEP) for the detection of arterial blood underneath SRH, for risk stratification, and as a guide to definitive hemostasis. The results are compared to visually guided hemostasis based upon SRH. Although SRH have been utilized to guide endoscopic hemostasis of NVUGIB for 50 years, when most visually guided treatments are applied to lesions with major SRH, arterial blood flow underneath SRH is not obliterated in 25-30% of patients and results in rebleeding. Definitive hemostasis, significantly lower rebleeding rates, and improvements in other clinical outcomes resulted when DEP was used for risk stratification and as a guide to obliteration of arterial blood flow underneath SRH. DEP-guided endoscopic hemostasis is a very effective and safe new method to improve patient outcomes for NVUGIB.

Precise application of topical tranexamic acid to enhance endoscopic hemostasis for peptic ulcer bleeding: a randomized controlled study (with video)

Peptic ulcer recurrent bleeding occurs in 20% to 30% of patients after standard endoscopic hemostasis, particularly within 4 days after the procedure. The application of additional tranexamic acid (TXA) to the ulcer may enhance hemostasis. This study investigated the effectiveness of TXA powder application on bleeding ulcers during endoscopic hemostasis. This study enrolled patients who had peptic ulcer bleeding between March 2022 and February 2023. After undergoing standard endoscopic therapy, the patients were randomly assigned to either the TXA group or the standard group. In the TXA group, an additional 1.25 g of TXA powder was sprayed endoscopically on the ulcer. Both groups then received 3 days of high-dose (8 mg/h) continuous infusion proton pump inhibitor therapy. Second-look endoscopy was conducted on days 3 to 4. The primary end point of early treatment failure was defined as ulcer recurrent bleeding within 4 days or major stigmata of recent hemorrhage on the second-look endoscopy. Sixty patients (30 in each group) with peptic ulcer bleeding and balanced baseline characteristics were randomly assigned to a treatment group. The early treatment failure rate was lower in the TXA group (6.7%) than in the standard group (30%) (P= .042). The freedom from treatment failure periods for 4 and 28 days was significantly longer in the TXA group than in the standard group (P= .023). No adverse events from TXA were recorded. The precise delivery of topical TXA alongside standard endoscopic hemostasis reduced the early treatment failure rate in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT05248321.).

Ischemic colitis as a cause of severe hematochezia: A mini review.

Ischemic colitis (IC) is a common cause of severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in the elderly. There are very few studies of patients with IC as a cause of severe LGIB in the literature. This article aims to review diagnosis, colonoscopic findings, medical treatment, and outcomes of patients with IC as a cause of severe hematochezia. The majority of IC patients with severe hematochezia can be successfully managed with medical treatment. Colonoscopic hemostasis with hemoclips is safe and feasible in treating major stigmata of recent hemorrhage in focal ischemic ulcers. Colon surgery is indicated in patients who fail medical treatment and/or have severe ongoing bleeding, clinical deterioration, or peritoneal signs. Overall, the morbidity rates in patients with IC range from 10% to 79%. Clinical outcomes in patients who need colon surgery for IC are worse than those treated with medical management. Patients who develop hematochezia from IC during hospitalization for other medical conditions have worse clinical outcomes than those with an outpatient start of bleeding. Further research is warranted for the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of patients with severe hematochezia from IC.

Reassessment of Rebleeding Risk of Forrest IB (Oozing) Peptic Ulcer Bleeding in a Large International Randomized Trial.

Our aims were to assess risks of early rebleeding after successful endoscopic hemostasis for Forrest oozing (FIB) peptic ulcer bleeding (PUBs) compared with other stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH). These were post hoc multivariable analyses of a large, international, double-blind study (NCT00251979) of patients randomized to high-dose intravenous (IV) esomeprazole (PPI) or placebo for 72 h. Rebleeding rates of patients with PUB SRH treated with either PPI or placebo after successful endoscopic hemostasis were also compared. For patients treated with placebo for 72 h after successful endoscopic hemostasis, rebleed rates by SRH were spurting arterial bleeding (FIA) 22.5%, adherent clot (FIIB) 17.6%, non-bleeding visible vessel (FIIA) 11.3%, and oozing bleeding (FIB) 4.9%. Compared with FIB patients, FIA, FIIB, and FIIA had significantly greater risks of rebleeding with odds ratios (95% CI's) from 2.61 (1.05, 6.52) for FIIA to 6.66 (2.19, 20.26) for FIA. After hemostasis, PUB rebleeding rates for FIB patients at 72 h were similar with esomeprazole (5.4%) and placebo (4.9%), whereas rebleed rates for all other major SRH (FIA, FIIA, FIIB) were lower for PPI than placebo, but the treatment by SRH interaction test was not statistically significant. After successful endoscopic hemostasis, FIB patients had very low PUB rebleeding rates irrespective of PPI or placebo treatment. This implies that after successful endoscopic hemostasis the prognostic classification of FIB ulcers as a high-risk SRH and the recommendation to treat these with high-dose IV PPI's should be re-evaluated.

Independent risk factors of 30-day outcomes in 1264 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding in the USA: large ulcers do worse.

Predictors of worse outcomes (rebleeding, surgery and death) of peptic ulcer bleeds (PUBs) are essential indicators because of significant morbidity and mortality rates of PUBs. However those have been infrequently reported since changes in medical therapy (PPI, proton pump inhibitors) and application of newer endoscopic haemostatic technique. To determine: (i) independent risk factors for 30-day rebleeding, surgery, and death and (ii) whether ulcer size is an independent predictor of major outcomes in patients with severe PUB after successful endoscopic haemostasis and treatment with optimal medical (high dose IV PPI) vs. prior treatment (high dose IV histamine 2 antagonists - H2RAs). A large prospectively followed population of patients hospitalised with severe PUBs between 1993 and 2011 at two US tertiary care academic medical centres, stratified by stigmata of recent haemorrhage (SRH) was studied. Using multivariable logistic regression analyses, independent risk factors for each outcome (rebleeding, surgery and death) up to 30 days were analysed. Effects for medical treatment (H2RA patients 1993-2005 vs. PPIs 2006-2011) were also analysed. A total of 1264 patients were included. For ulcers ≥10 mm, the odds of 30-day rebleeding increased 6% per each 10% increase in ulcer size (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.10, P = 0.0053). Other risk factors for 30-day rebleeding were major SRH, in-patient start of bleeding, and prior GI bleeding. Major SRH and ulcer size≥10 mm were predictors of 30-day surgery. Risk factors for 30-day death were major SRH, in-patient bleeding, and any initial platelet transfusion or fresh frozen plasma transfusion ≥2 units. Among patients with major SRH and out-patient start of bleeding, larger ulcer size was also a risk factor for death (OR 1.08 per 10% increase in ulcer size, 95% CI 1.02-1.14, P = 0.0095). Ulcer size was a significant independent variable for both time periods. Ulcer size is a risk factor for worse outcomes after PUB and should be carefully recorded at initial endoscopy to improve patient triage and management.

Doppler endoscopic probe as a guide to risk stratification and definitive hemostasis of peptic ulcer bleeding

For more than 4 decades endoscopists have relied on ulcer stigmata for risk stratification and as a guide to hemostasis. None used arterial blood flow underneath stigmata to predict outcomes. For patients with severe peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB), we used a Doppler endoscopic probe (DEP) for (1) detection of blood flow underlying stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), (2) quantitating rates of residual arterial blood flow under SRH after visually directed standard endoscopic treatment, and (3) comparing risks of rebleeding and actual 30-day rebleed rates for spurting arterial bleeding (Forrest [F] IA) and oozing bleeding (F IB). Prospective cohort study of 163 consecutive patients with severe PUB and different SRH. All blood flow detected by the DEP was arterial. Detection rates were 87.4% in major SRH-spurting arterial bleeding (F IA), non-bleeding visible vessel (F IIA), clot (F IIB)-and were significantly lower at 42.3% (P < .0001) for an intermediate group of oozing bleeding (F IB) or flat spot (F IIC). For spurting bleeding (F IA) versus oozing (F IB), baseline DEP arterial flow was 100% versus 46.7%, residual blood flow detected after endoscopic hemostasis was 35.7% versus 0%, and 30-day rebleed rates were 28.6% versus 0% (all P < .05). (1) For major SRH versus oozing or spot, the arterial blood flow detection rate by the DEP was significantly higher, indicating a higher rebleed risk. (2) Before and after endoscopic treatment, spurting (F IA) PUB had significantly higher rates of blood flow detection than oozing (F IB) PUB and a significantly higher 30-day rebleed rate. (3) The DEP is recommended as a new endoscopic guide with SRH to improve risk stratification and potentially definitive hemostasis for PUB.

Dieulafoyʼs Lesion as a Cause of Severe UGI Hemorrhage: What Is New and How Do We Treat in the Current Era?: Presidential Poster

Purpose: Dieulafoy first described a lesion (DL) more than 130 years ago as a large focal artery without ulceration of the stomach causing massive fatal UGI hemorrhage (UGIH). Endoscopically, DL is reported in patients with severe UGIH when major stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) without ulceration are seen. For endoscopically diagnosed and treated UGI DLs, our purposes were: 1) to report prevalences of SRH, 2) to compare 30-day outcomes after thermal coagulation vs. hemoclipping (HC), and 3) to describe recent changes in hemostasis of DL with Doppler probe ultrasound (DUP) monitoring. Methods: 56 patients with severe UGIH were enrolled in prospective CURE hemostasis studies. Techniques evolved from monotherapy, to combination hemostasis, to use of DUP to complete treatments. Thirty two patients before 6/2006 were treated with thermal coagulation. Twenty four other patients after 8/2006 had hemostasis with hemoclipping. Endoscopic treatments usually included epinephrine pre-injection and tattooing after hemostasis. When it became available, DUP was used for arterial blood flow detection underneath SRH in nine patients, to map the arteries, and to check for blood flow ablation to complete hemostasis. All patients were followed up to 60 days. Data were prospectively collected, entered onto computer databases, and managed with SAS. Results: For all 56 patients, prevalences of SRH were 60.7% active bleeding, 17.9% adherent clot, 2.5% non-bleeding visible vessel (NBVV), and 8.9% spot. For thermal vs. HC treated patients, there were no significant differences in 30 day outcomes: re-bleeding 25% vs. 29%; surgery 16% vs. 17%; or death 6% vs. 0%. However, the non-DUP assisted DL hemostasis group had a significantly higher 30 day re-bleed rate than the DUP assisted patients: 33% (15/45) vs. 0% (0/9). Conclusion: For 56 patients with severe UGIH from Dieulafoy's lesions: 1) SRH were active bleeding 60.7%, clot 17.9%, NBVV 12.5%, and other SRH 8.9%. 2) 30-day outcomes of re-bleeding, surgery, death were similar for thermal & hemoclip treated patients. 3) However, the 30-day re-bleeding rate of DUP assisted hemostasis patients was significantly lower than those without DUP monitoring. Acknowledgements: Partially supported by a Clinical VA Merit Review grant and NIH CURE DDRC CURE grant-Human Studies Core (AM41301).

Therapeutic endoscopy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic and therapeutic tool for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The performance of endoscopic therapy depends on findings of stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH). For peptic ulcer disease-the most common etiology of UGIB-endoscopic therapy is indicated for findings of major SRH, such as active bleeding, oozing, or the presence of a nonbleeding visible vessel, but not indicated for minor SRH, such as a pigmented flat spot or a simple ulcer with a homogeneous clean base. Endoscopic therapies include injection, ablation, and mechanical therapy. Monotherapy reduces the risk of rebleeding in patients with peptic ulcer disease with major SRH to about 20%. Combination therapy, especially injection followed by either ablation or mechanical therapy, is generally recommended to further reduce the risk of rebleeding to about 10%. Endoscopic dual hemostasis by an experienced endoscopist reduces the risk of rebleeding, the need for surgery, the number of blood transfusions required, and the length of hospital stay. This Review article comprehensively analyzes the principles, indications, instrumentation, techniques, and efficacy of endoscopic hemostasis.

Guidelines of Treatment for Bleeding Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer (PU) bleeding is the main cause of non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding. Negative outcomes include re-bleeding and death, and many of the deaths are associated with decompensation of coexisting medical conditions precipitated by acute bleeding event. Accurate analysis of risk for clinical features can help physician to decide treatment modality. Endoscopy can detect bleeding stigmata and perform therapeutic hemostasis. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) compared with placebo or H2RA reduces mortality following PU bleeding among patients with high-risk endoscopic findings, and reduces re-bleeding rates and surgical intervention. PPI treatment initiated prior to endoscopy in upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding significantly reduces the proportion of patients with stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) at index endoscopy but does not reduce mortality, re-bleeding or the need for surgery. The strategy of giving oral PPI before and after endoscopy, with endoscopic hemostasis for those with major SRH, is likely to be the most cost-effective. The treatment of H. pylori infection was found to be more effective than anti-secretory therapy in preventing recurrent bleeding from PU. H. pylori eradication alone and eradication followed by misoprostol (with switch to PPI, if misoprostol is not tolerated) are the two most cost-effective strategies to prevent ulcer bleeding among H. pylori-infected NSAID users, although the data cannot exclude PPIs also being cost-effective treatment. This review focuses specifically on the current treatment of patients with acute bleeding from a peptic ulcer.

Systematic reviews of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the prevention and treatment of acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) haemorrhage, as well as to compare this with H2-receptor antagonist (H2RA), Helicobacter pylori eradication (in infected patients) or no therapy, for the prevention of first and/or subsequent bleeds among patients who continue to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Also to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of PPI therapy, compared with other treatments, for the prevention of subsequent bleeds in patients who had previously experienced peptic ulcer (PU) bleeding. Electronic databases and major conference proceedings were searched up to February 2006. Data were collected from the systematic reviews addressing each research objective. These were then entered into an economic model to compare the costs and quality-adjusted life-days of alternative management strategies over a 28-day period for patients who have had UGI bleeding. A Markov model with a Monte Carlo simulation used data from the systematic reviews to identify the most cost-effective treatment strategy for the prevention of UGI bleeding (first and subsequent) among NSAID users using an outcome of costs per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) over a lifetime from age 50 years. PPI treatment initiated after endoscopic diagnosis of PU bleeding significantly reduced re-bleeding and surgery compared with placebo or H2RA. Although there was no evidence of an overall effect of PPI treatment on all-cause mortality, PPIs significantly reduced mortality in subgroups when studies conducted in Asia were examined in isolation or when the analysis was confined to patients with high-risk endoscopic findings. PPI treatment initiated prior to endoscopy in UGI bleeding significantly reduced the proportion of patients with stigmata of recent haemorrhage (SRH) at index endoscopy compared with placebo or H2RA, but there was no evidence that PPI treatment affected clinically important outcomes. Giving oral PPI both before and after endoscopy, with endoscopic haemostatic therapy (EHT) for those with major SRH, is preferred to all others on cost-effectiveness grounds at any threshold over 25,000 pounds per QALY, even if only short-term effects are taken into account, and at any threshold over 200 pounds per life-year gained if long-term effects are included. The risk of NSAID-induced endoscopic gastric and duodenal ulcers was reduced by standard doses of PPI and misoprostol, and double doses of H2RAs. Standard doses of H2RAs reduced the risk of endoscopic duodenal ulcers. PPIs reduced NSAID-induced dyspepsia. PPIs were superior to misoprostol in preventing recurrence of NSAID-induced endoscopic duodenal ulcers, but PPIs were comparable to misoprostol in preventing the recurrence of NSAID-induced endoscopic gastric ulcers. Full-dose misoprostol reduced bleeding, perforation or gastric outlet obstruction due to NSAID-induced ulcers, but misoprostol was poorly tolerated and associated with frequent adverse effects. H. pylori eradication treatment was equally effective with PPI treatment for the primary or secondary prevention of endoscopic ulcers in NSAID users. H. pylori eradication treatment was more effective than placebo for the primary prevention of endoscopic PU and for the prevention of re-bleeding from PU in NSAID users. With regard to primary and secondary prevention of bleeding PU in NSAID users, the two most cost-effective strategies are H. pylori eradication alone, and H. pylori eradication followed by misoprostol (substituted by a PPI, if misoprostol is not tolerated) at an additional 4810 pounds per QALY. In patients who had previously experienced a bleed from a PU, re-bleeding was less frequent after H. pylori eradication therapy than after non-eradication antisecretory therapy, whether or not the latter was combined with long-term maintenance antisecretory therapy. PPI treatment compared with placebo or H2RA reduces mortality following PU bleeding among patients with high-risk endoscopic findings, and reduces re-bleeding rates and surgical intervention. PPI treatment initiated prior to endoscopy in UGI bleeding significantly reduces the proportion of patients with SRH at index endoscopy but does not reduce mortality, re-bleeding or the need for surgery. The strategy of giving oral PPI before and after endoscopy, with EHT for those with major SRH, is likely to be the most cost-effective. Treatment of H. pylori infection was found to be more effective than antisecretory therapy in preventing recurrent bleeding from PU. H. pylori eradication alone or eradication followed by misoprostol (with switch to PPI, if misoprostol is not tolerated) are the two most cost-effective strategies for preventing bleeding ulcers among H. pylori-infected NSAID users, although the data cannot exclude PPIs also being cost-effective. Further large randomised controlled trials are needed to address areas such as PPI administration prior to endoscopic diagnosis, different doses and administration of PPIs, as well as the primary and secondary prevention of UGI bleeding.

Artificial Neural Network as a Predictive Instrument in Patients With Acute Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Triage of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) has traditionally required urgent upper endoscopy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of artificial neural network for nonendoscopic triage. A cohort of 387 patients was used to train (n = 194) and internally validate (n = 193) the neural network, which was then externally validated in 200 patients and compared with the clinical and complete Rockall score. Two outcome variables were assessed: major stigmata of recent hemorrhage and need for endoscopic therapy. Patient cohort data from 2 independent tertiary-care medical centers were prospectively collected. Adult patients hospitalized at both sites during the same time period with a primary diagnosis of acute nonvariceal UGIH. In predicting the 2 measured outcomes, sensitivity of neural network was >80%, with high negative predictive values (92-96%) in both cohorts but with lower specificity in the external cohort. Both Rockall scores had adequate sensitivity (>80%) but poor specificity (<40%) at outcome prediction. Comparing areas under receiver operating characteristic curves, the clinical Rockall score was significantly inferior to neural network in both cohorts (</=0.65 vs. >/= 0.78), while in the external cohort, neural network performed similarly to the complete Rockall score (>/= 0.78). In acute nonvariceal UGIH, artificial neural network (nonendoscopic triage) performed as well as the complete Rockall score (endoscopic triage) at predicting stigmata of recent hemorrhage and need for endoscopic therapy, even when tested in an external patient population.

Acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage is a common medical emergency that has a hospital mortality of approximately 10%. Peptic ulcer bleeding, complicating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin or Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common cause of major bleeding. Gastro-oesophageal varices are less common but managing the underlying liver disease and the severity of bleeding may be demanding. The prognosis of patients presenting with acute bleeding is dictated by the presence of medical co-morbidities and by the severity of liver disease in patients with varices. Validated prognostic scoring systems, based upon the severity of bleeding, diagnosis, endoscopic findings and extent of co-morbidities, predict mortality and have clinical utility. The treatment of non-variceal bleeding is based upon cardiovascular resuscitation followed by endoscopic therapy in patients with active bleeding or major stigmata of recent haemorrhage. Proton pump inhibitor drugs reduce the risk of re-bleeding but have little effect on mortality. Emergency surgery is undertaken for uncontrolled bleeding or re-bleeding that cannot be controlled by further endoscopic therapy. Oesophageal varices are managed by fluid resuscitation, antibiotics and endoscopic band ligation. Vasoactive drugs may stop active bleeding but have no effect upon mortality. Management of the complications of the underlying liver disease and complete variceal ablation in a banding programme are essential. Gastric varices are treated by injection with tissue adhesives or transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPSS) insertion. Surgical intervention has little role in the management of varices and patients who do not respond to endoscopic therapies are best treated by TIPSS.

Major stigmata of recent hemorrhage on rectal ulcers in patients with severe hematochezia: endoscopic diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of hematochezia caused by rectal ulcers is poorly described. Consecutive patients hospitalized with severe hematochezia underwent urgent colonoscopy after purge. Those with rectal ulcers were divided into 2 groups based on the absence or presence of major stigmata of recent hemorrhage: active bleeding, visible vessel, or adherent clot. Major stigmata were treated with epinephrine injection and coagulation with a bipolar probe. The primary outcome endpoint was recurrent bleeding within 4 weeks of diagnosis. Rectal ulcers were identified in 23 of 285 (8%) patients. Twelve of 23 patients had major stigmata; these patients had an arithmetically greater decrease in hematocrit and required more blood transfusions than patients without major stigmata. Initial hemostasis was achieved in all, but bleeding recurred in 5 with stigmata. Four patients died of comorbid conditions. There was no recurrent bleeding or death in those without stigmata. Patients with rectal ulcers harboring major stigmata are at high risk for severe bleeding, recurrent bleeding, and death. For ulcers with major stigmata, endoscopic hemostasis is feasible but rates of recurrent bleeding are high.

Outpatient management of “low-risk” nonvariceal upper GI hemorrhage. Are we ready to put evidence into practice?

Outpatient management of “low-risk” nonvariceal upper GI hemorrhage. Are we ready to put evidence into practice?

An assortment of colonic lesions that present with severe hematochezia

There are several less common causes of severe hematochezia, including colon carcinomas and polyps, postpolypectomy hemorrhage, inflammatory and infectious causes, ischemic colitis, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, and colonic varices. Management of patients hospitalized with severe hematochezia includes volume resuscitation with intravenous fluids and blood products, a monitored bed setting, and urgent diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy after colon purge. Colonoscopy allows for diagnosis of the cause of bleeding and, if indicated, for biopsy samples to be obtained for histologic diagnosis. Endoscopic hemostasis can be performed if major stigmata of recent hemorrhage are found at urgent colonoscopy, and techniques include thermal contact probes (multipolar electrocoagulation or heater probe), epinephrine injection, or combination of those modalities to arrest hemorrhage.

Ulcers and nonvariceal bleeding.

Although peptic ulcer continues to be the commonest cause of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, obscure haemorrhage from the Dieulafoy malformation and haemobilia must be considered, and may be amenable to endoscopic therapy. The patients who are at the highest risk of rebleeding and death are elderly, in shock at presentation, and have major stigmata of recent haemorrhage (SRH). The endoscopist must identify SRH, and identification may be made easier by washing the area with hydrogen peroxide. The natural history of SRH has been defined. There is wide interobserver variation in the interpretation of SRH, and there is probably therefore little value in the endoscopist describing subtle appearances. Although the value of endoscopic haemostatic therapy is established, it has still not been taken up by all institutions. Endoscopic injection of fibrin glue into the bleeding ulcer is a logical and relatively easy approach, and a systematic histological study of resected ulcers has shown that this does not adversely affect the ulcer healing process. Thermal therapies such as argon plasma coagulation and the heater probe have comparable efficacy. Although a combination of injection and thermal treatments may be logical, there are only trends suggesting that this is better than monotherapy. Nevertheless, the gold probe continues to be used in clinical practice. Experiments in an animal model of gastric bleeding suggest that the gold probe is effective, and that the version with a wide-gauge needle is best. Haemoclips may stop acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a range of sources. Patients who rebleed after initial endoscopic haemostasis have a tenfold increase in the risk of death. An important study from Hong Kong suggests that repeat endoscopic treatment after rebleeding has comparable morbidity and mortality to a policy of urgent surgery without endoscopic repeat intervention.

Intravenous anti-helicobacter therapy in helicobacter-positive bleeding peptic ulcer with major stigmata of recent hemorrhage: A preliminary report

Aims: Eradication of H pylori significantly reduces the rate of ulcer rebleeding. Anti-Hp therapy should be considered in all H pylori-positive patients with ulcer bleeding to reduce the possibility of rebleeding. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of intravenous route of dual therapy in active ulcer bleeding. Methods: In the prospective study, one hundred and thirty two patients with endoscopy documented ulcer bleeding with major stigmata of recent hemorrhage (active bleeding or non-bleeding visible vessel) were entered. Endoscopic injection therapy was performed in all patients with a mean volume of 7.5 mL of 1:10000 epinephrine. One hundred patients (75.5%) with documented H pylori infection (by rapid urease test and histologic findings) were randomly assigned to receive 40 mg omeprazole intravenously every day and ampicillin-sulbactam 750 mg three times daily intravenouslY for 3 days and 20 mg omeprazole twice daily and 500 mg amoxicillin three times daily for 11 days (Group A) or 20 mg omeprazole twice daily and 500 mg amoxicillin three times daily for 2 weeks (Group B). Subsequently, both group received 20 mg omeprazole daily orally for 4 weeks. Patients underwent a second endoscopy 3 days later and again at the end of 6 weeks. Results: Early rebleeding occurred less in Group A. (1/50 or 2% vs 5/50 or 10%, P > 0.05). All these 6 patients were excluded. Disappearance of major SRH was significantly higher in Group A (45/49 or 91.8%) than in Group B (32/45 or 71.1%; P 0.05) Ulcer healing rates were 93.8% (46/49) in Group A and 95.5% (43/45) in Group B. (P > 0.05) Conclusions: Intravenous form of dual therapy can be started immediately in HP-positive acute ulcer hemorrhage with major SRH then follow by oral antiHp therapy. Rapid disappearance of major SRH and lower early rebleeding rate could be achieved. It can be an alternative choice for H pylori treatment in acute peptic ulcer bleeding.

Risk assessment after acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

The aim of this study was to establish the relative importance of risk factors for mortality after acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and to formulate a simple numerical scoring system that categorizes patients by risk. A prospective, unselected, multicentre, population based study was undertaken using standardised questionnaires in two phases one year apart. A total of 4185 cases of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage over the age of 16 identified over a four month period in 1993 and 1625 cases identified subsequently over a three month period in 1994 were included in the study. It was found that age, shock, comorbidity, diagnosis, major stigmata of recent haemorrhage, and rebleeding are all independent predictors of mortality when assessed using multiple logistic regression. A numerical score using these parameters has been developed that closely follows the predictions generated by logistical regression equations. Haemoglobin, sex, presentation (other than shock), and drug therapy (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants) are not represented in the final model. When tested for general applicability in a second population, the scoring system was found to reproducibly predict mortality in each risk category. In conclusion, a simple numerical score can be used to categorize patients presenting with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage by risk of death. This score can be used to determine case mix when comparing outcomes in audit and research and to calculate risk standardised mortality. In addition, this risk score can identify 15% of all cases with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage at the time of presentation and 26% of cases after endoscopy who are at low risk of rebleeding and negligible risk of death and who might therefore be considered for early discharge or outpatient treatment with consequent resource savings.