Treatment Of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Research Articles

Treatment of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: endoluminal-endovascular-surgical

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) has a high mortality. Hematemesis sometimes with melena are the leading clinical symptoms. Peptic ulcers and (erosive) inflammation are common, whereas Mallory-Weiss syndrome, neoplasms, angiodysplasia and diffuse UGIB are less common. A risk stratification is based on the medical history, clinical presentation and laboratory tests, which are considered in the Glasgow-Blatchford score; however, which treatment approach is optimal? After stabilisation under restricted transfusion indications, temporary stoppage of anticoagulants and optimized coagulation is beneficial and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) should be started. Prokinetics improve the endoscopic conditions in UGIB. The use of an endoscopic Doppler probe optimizes localization of the bleeding site. The use of the Forrest classification and Helicobacter pylori diagnostics are recommended. Mechanical (clips, injection), thermal (argon plasma coagulation, APC) and topical (hemostatic powder) endoscopic treatment procedures are available. Endoluminal hemostasis is very effective. Only clip application is suitable as monotherapy whereas all other endoscopic options should be combined. Angiography followed by transarterial embolization (TAE) can be used for therapy. Despite the high primary success rate, the risk of rebleeding is high. Surgery as the primary treatment is rarely necessary, although effective. Compared to TAE complications are higher, but there is no difference regarding mortality. Endoscopy remains the gold standard for the initial diagnostics and treatment of UGIB. In cases of rebleeding repeated endoscopy is recommended. With persistent UGIB an endovascular procedure should be evaluated. Surgery remains an important salvage option.

Pharmacological interventions for prevention and treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in newborn infants.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is typically a mild, self-limiting condition that can affect both preterm and term neonates, although it can be severe particularly when associated with co-morbidities. Pharmacological interventions with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA), antacid, bismuth and sucralfate may have effects on both the prevention and treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in infants. To assess how different pharmacological interventions (PPIs, H2RAs, antacids, sucralfate or bismuth salts) administered to preterm and term neonates for the prevention or treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding to reduce morbidity and mortality compare with placebo or no treatment, supportive care, or each other. We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2018, Issue 6), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 12 July 2018), Embase (1980 to 12 July 2018), and CINAHL (1982 to 12 July 2018). We also searched clinical trial databases, conference proceedings, the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials, and online for Chinese literature articles. We selected randomised, quasi-randomised and cluster-randomised trials involving preterm and term neonates. Trials were included if they used a proton pump inhibitor, H2 receptor antagonist, antacid, sucralfate or bismuth either for the prevention or treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Two review authors independently assessed the eligibility of studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed methodological quality. We conducted meta-analysis using a fixed-effect model. We used the GRADE approach to assess quality of evidence. Eleven studies with 818 infants met the criteria for inclusion in this review.Four trials with 329 infants assessed the use of an H2 receptor antagonist for prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in high-risk newborn infants. Meta-analysis of these four trials identified a reduction in any upper gastrointestinal bleeding when using an H2 receptor antagonist (typical risk ratio (RR) 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22 to 0.58; typical risk difference (RD) -0.20, 95% CI -0.28 to -0.11; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 5, 95% CI 4 to 9). The quality of evidence was moderate. A single trial with 53 infants assessing prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding reported no difference in mortality in infants assigned H2 receptor antagonist versus no treatment; however the quality of evidence was very low.Seven trials with 489 infants assessed an inhibitor of gastric acid (H2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitor) for treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding in newborn infants. Meta-analysis of two trials (131 infants) showed no difference in mortality from use of a H2 receptor antagonist compared to no treatment. The quality of evidence was low. Meta-analysis of two trials (104 infants) showed a reduction in duration of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from use of an inhibitor of gastric acid compared to no treatment (mean difference -1.06 days, 95% CI -1.28 to -0.84). The quality of evidence was very low. Meta-analysis of six trials (451 infants) showed a reduction in continued upper gastrointestinal bleeding from use of any inhibitor of gastric acid compared to no treatment (typical RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.49; typical RD -0.26, 95% CI -0.33, -0.19; NNTB 4, 95% CI 3 to 5). The quality of evidence was low. There were no significant subgroup differences in duration of upper gastrointestinal bleeding or of continued upper gastrointestinal bleeding according to type of inhibitor of gastric acid. A single trial (38 infants) reported no difference in anaemia requiring blood transfusion from use of a H2 receptor antagonist compared to no treatment.Although no serious adverse events were reported from the use of a H2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitor, some neonatal morbidities - including necrotising enterocolitis, ventilator-associated pneumonia, duration of ventilation and respiratory support, and duration of hospital stay - were not reported. Long-term outcome was not reported. There is moderate-quality evidence that use of an H2 receptor antagonist reduces the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in newborn infants at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. There is low-quality evidence that use of an inhibitor of gastric acid (H2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitor) reduces the duration of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the incidence of continued gastric bleeding in newborn infants with gastrointestinal bleeding. However, there is no evidence that use of an inhibitor of gastric acid in newborn infants affects mortality or the need for blood transfusion. As no study reported the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis, ventilator- or hospital-associated pneumonia, sepsis, or long-term outcome, the safety of inhibitors of gastric acid secretion is unclear.

Trans Arterial Embolization of Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Is the Use of Ethylene–Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer as Safe as Coils?

The safety of liquid embolics over the conventional coils for the treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) approach is still unclear. Purpose of this study is to assess the safety of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH 6%) over coils in the treatment of UGIB. All the upper gastrointestinal tract embolization procedures performed in a single center in a 6-year period were reviewed. Patients embolised with coils (Group A) versus those embolised with EVOH 6% (Group B) were compared. Technical/clinical success, bleeding recurrence, complication and mortality rates were analyzed. A total 71 patients were included in the study (41 Group A and 30 Group B). Coagulopathy was present in 21% of Group A and 46% of Group B patients (p < 0.05). Technical and clinical success was 97.6 and 92.7% for Group A, and 100 and 93.3% for Group B respectively, (p > 0.05). Ten patients (17% Group A; 10% Group B) re-bled within the first 36h and all of them were re-treated successfully with a second embolization. In Group A one major complication (bowel ischemia) occurred. No complication occurred in Group B. The survival rate in the first 30days was 90.3% for group A and 90% for group B (p > 0.05). This study demonstrated EVOH 6% appears to be as safe and effective as coils in the treatment of non-variceal UGIB.

Single Center Experience of a New Endoscopic Clip in Managing Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

To assess the safety and efficacy of the Instinct clip in the acute endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). This is the first large series reporting this clip in achieving hemostasis. A retrospective descriptive chart review was performed on patients presenting with recent overt GI bleeding treated with endoclip therapy at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center between May 2013 and January 2016. Results are expressed in absolute numbers, percentages, and trends. In total, 178 consecutive patients with UGIB were included. Source of bleeding was identified as duodenal ulcer (29.2%), gastric ulcer (22.5%), gastro-esophageal junction tear (8.4%), anastomosis (5.6%), erosive gastropathy (5.6%), Dieulafoy (5.1%), gastric polyp (4.5%), postendoscopic procedure (3.9%), angioectasia (3.4%), esophageal ulcer (2.8%), benign duodenal mass (2.8%), peg tube site (2.3%), gastric neoplasm (1.7%), esophagitis (1.1%), and small bowel ulcer (1.1%). Lesions demonstrated active bleeding in 47.5% (11.3% spurting and 36.2% oozing) and nonbleeding lesions in 52.5% (25.0% visible vessel, 11.9% hematin in ulcer base, 10.0% adherent clot, 5.6% flat spot). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 96.6%. Additional methods were used in 24.1% (argon plasma coagulation and epinephrine injection in 21.3%, surgery in 0.6%, and interventional radiology in 2.2%). There were no adverse events. In-hospital rebleeding was 7.3% and 3.9% presented with rebleeding within 30 days. Average procedure duration was 22.9 minutes and average length of hospital stay was 11.3 days. The Instinct clip, when used for UGIB, seems to be safe and effective with similar rebleeding rates compared with other modalities.

Potential role for emergency physicians with endoscopy training in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: a retrospective observational study

AimUrgent endoscopy is essential in gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Emergency physicians with endoscopy training treat patients with GI bleeding in our hospital. We compared the management and clinical outcomes of GI bleeding cases between those treated by an emergency physician (EP) and those treated by a non‐emergency physician (NEP; e.g., gastroenterologist or general surgeon).MethodsWe undertook a retrospective chart review of upper GI bleeding cases treated using endoscopy in the emergency department between 2012 and 2014. We examined patients characteristics, endoscopic findings, hemostatic procedures, need for transfusion, rebleeding and adverse events, length of hospital stay, and mortality.ResultsThe EP group included 33 patients (39%) and the NEP group included 51 (61%). Patient characteristics and diseases did not differ between the groups. The EP group underwent urgent endoscopy more often (100% versus 86%, P = 0.04). Procedure times were not statistically different between the groups. The EP group had fewer hemostatic procedures (42% versus 65%, P = 0.04). Transfusion requirements were lower in the EP group (0.5 U versus 2.1 U, P = 0.006). There were no statistical differences in rebleeding and adverse events. The length of hospital stay was shorter (8 versus 11 days, P = 0.03) and the in‐hospital mortality rate was lower in the EP group (0% versus 13.7%, P = 0.04).ConclusionShort‐term outcomes in GI bleeding cases managed by emergency physicians with endoscopy training were comparable to those by gastroenterologists and general surgeons. However, the extent of endoscopic training and experience emergency physicians should have remains unclear.

Progress in Endoscopic Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Due to the increase in the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the treatment methods are more and more diversified. With the popularization of endoscopic techniques and the wide range of endoscopic hemostasis methods, endoscopy has become an important method for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and greatly updated the treatment concept of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In this paper, we reviewed the literature reports of endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in recent years.

The Importance of Endoscopy as a Useful Method for Diagnosis of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Children

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is recognized as a life-threatening emergency condition among children and parents, which requires prompt assessment. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of upper endoscopy in determining the cause of UGIB in a pediatric population. Methods: In this retrospective study performed at Ali-Ibn-Abi-Taleb hospital, records of all children with UGIB (below 14 years) were evaluated. Subjects with incomplete information were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 101 patients with the mean ± SD age of 6.8 ± 3.99 years were included in this study (45 females, 56 males). The clinical presentations included hematemesis in 77 (76%) cases, melena in 6 (5.9%) cases, and both in 18 (17.8) cases. The upper endoscopy showed a high diagnostic yield (90%) in determining the cause of UGIB. The most common source of bleeding was esophageal varices in 32 (31.7%) children, followed by peptic ulcer disease (n, 17; 16.8%), gastritis (n, 11; 10.9%), and hiatal hernia. No cause of UGIB was found in 10 (9.9%) cases. Conclusions: Esophageal varices and peptic ulcer disease were the most common causes of UGIB in our center. Considering the valuable role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of UGIB, early referral to a hospital with pediatric endoscopy is recommended.

Management of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB), defined as hemorrhage into the gastrointestinal tract distal to the ligament of Treitz, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. Overall, mortality rates are estimated between 2.4% and 3.9%. The most common etiology for LGIB is diverticulosis, implicated in approximately 30% of cases, with other causes including hemorrhoids, ischemic colitis, and postpolypectomy bleeding. Transcatheter visceral angiography has begun to play an increasingly important role in both the diagnosis and treatment of LGIB. Historically, transcatheter visceral angiography has been used to direct vasopressin infusion with embolization reserved for treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, advances in microcatheter technology and embolotherapy have enabled super-selective embolization to emerge as the treatment of choice for many cases of LGIB.

Clinical epidemiological characteristics and change trend of upper gastrointestinal bleeding over the past 15 years

To investigate the clinical epidemiology change trend of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) over the past 15 years. Consecutive patients who was diagnosed as continuous UGIB in the endoscopy center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun-Yat University during the period from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1998 and the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 were enrolled in this study. Their gender, age, etiology, ulcer classification, endoscopic treatment and hospitalization mortality were compared between two periods. In periods from 1997 to 1998 and 2012 to 2013, the detection rate of UGIB was 9.99%(928/9 287) and 4.49%(1 092/24 318)(χ2=360.089, P=0.000); the percentage of male patients was 73.28%(680/928) and 72.44% (791/1 092) (χ2=0.179, P=0.672), and the onset age was (47.3±16.4) years and (51.4±18.2) years (t=9.214, P=0.002) respectively. From 1997 to 1998, the first etiology of UGIB was peptic ulcer bleeding, accounting for 65.2%(605/928)[duodenal ulcer 47.8%(444/928), gastric ulcer 8.3%(77/928), stomal ulcer 2.3%(21/928), compound ulcer 6.8%(63/928)],the second was cancer bleeding(7.0%,65/928), and the third was esophageal and gastric varices bleeding (6.4%,59/928). From 2012 to 2013, peptic ulcer still was the first cause of UGIB, but the ratio obviously decreased to 52.7%(575/1092)(χ2=32.467, P=0.000)[duodenal ulcer 31.9%(348/1092), gastric ulcer 9.4%(103/1092), stomal ulcer 2.8%(30/1092), compound ulcer 8.6%(94/1092)]. The decreased ratio of duodenal ulcer bleeding was the main reason (χ2=53.724, P=0.000). Esophageal and gastric varices bleeding became the second cause (15.1%,165/1 092, χ2=38.976, P=0.000), and cancer was the third cause (9.2%,101/1 092, χ2=3.352, P=0.067). The largest increasing amplitude of the onset age was peptic ulcer bleeding [(46.2±16.7) years vs. (51.9±18.9) years, t=-5.548, P=0.000), and the greatest contribution to the amplitude was duodenal ulcer bleeding [(43.4±15.9) years vs. (48.4±19.4) years, t=-3.935, P=0.000], while the onset age of esophageal and gastric varices bleeding [(49.8±14.1) years vs. (48.8±13.9) years, t=0.458, P=0.648] and cancer [(58.4±13.4) years vs. (58.9±16.7) years, t=-0.196, P=0.845] did not change significantly. Compared with the period from 1997 to 1998, the detection rate of high risk peptic ulcer rebleeding (Forrest stage I(a, I(b, II(a and II(b) increased (χ2=39.958, P=0.000) in the period from 2012 to 2013. From 1997 to 1998, 54 patients underwent endoscopic treatment, and the achievement ratio of hemostasis was 79.6% (43/54). From 2012 to 2013, 261 patients underwent endoscopic treatment and the achievement ratio of hemostasis was 96.9%(253/261), which was significantly higher (χ2=23.287, P=0.000). Compared to the period from 1997 to 1998, more patients with variceal bleeding or non-variceal bleeding received endoscopic treatment in time (39.0% vs. 70.3%, χ2=51.930, P=0.000; 3.6% vs. 15.6%, χ2=62.292, P=0.000, respectively), and higher ratio of patients staging Forrest stage I(a to II(b also received endoscopic treatment in the period from 2012 to 2013 [27.4%(26/95) vs. 68.5%(111/162), χ2=40.739, P=0.000]. More qualified endoscopic hemostatic techniques were used, containing thermocoagulation (0 vs. 15.2%, χ2=79.518, P=0.000), hemostatic clip (0 vs. 55.9%, χ2=20.879, P=0.000), hemostatic clip combined with thermocoagulation (4.3% vs. 16.4%, χ2=5.154, P=0.023), while less single injection was used (87.1% vs. 6.2%, χ2=10.420, P=0.001), and single spraying for hemostasis was completely abandoned in the period from 2012 to 2013. The ratio of inpatients undergoing reoperation decreased obviously in the period from 2012 to 2013 [9.3%(86/928) vs. 6.0%(65/1092), χ2=7.970, P=0.005], while no significant difference was found in mortality during hospitalization between two periods. Compared with the period from 1997 to1998, the mean onset age of UGIB increased, and the ratio of peptic ulcer bleeding decreased due to the reduction of duodenal ulcer bleeding, the detection rate of high risk peptic ulcer rebleeding increased, the cure rate of endoscopic treatment for UGIB increased, more reasonable and immediate hemostatic methods were used, but overall mortality did not change obviously in the period from 2012 to 2013.

NON-VARICEAL UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING RECENT GUIDELINES, RISK STRATIFICATION AND PARADIGMS

Despite recent advances in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGI) lesions, mortality and morbidity have remained high. The introduction of scoring systems and novel endoscopic techniques have improved patients outcomes. Although guidelines for managing UGIB have been developed they have not been implemented ubiquitously. The authors offer a point of view in relation to the management of the non variceal UGIB with emphasis on the risk stratification, paradigms that have suffered changes or have been revalidated over the years, newly introduced pharmacological agents and timing of endoscopy.

Percutaneous transsplenic varices embolization in treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage of schistosomiasis cirrhosis

To evaluate the application value of percutaneous transsplenic varices embolization (PTSVE) in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with schistosomiasis cirrhosis. Sixteen schistosomiasis cirrhosis patients (12 males and 4 females) with portal hypertension complicated with esophageal and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage were selected as the investigation subjects, all the patients had been treated by esophageal vein ligation and sclerotherapy, but with bleeding again post-operation. The patients were treated by PTSVE under the guidance of X-ray fluoroscopy. The success rate of PTSVE and the rate of complications were observed. In addition, the patients received PTSVE were reexamined with abdominal CT one month post-operation, and the degrees of varices were compared before and after PTSVE. Fourteen cases (87.50%) were successfully treated with PTSVE. Two cases (12.50%) failed, and one case had an abdominal bleeding 1 week post-operation. The abdominal CT showed the degrees of esophageal varices (P < 0.001), esophageal vein (P < 0.001) and gastric varices (P < 0.001) were significantly decreased in the patients who received PTSVE one month after the operation. PTSVE is a safe and effective method in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the patients with schistosomiasis cirrhosis. PTSVE is especially suitable for the patients with severe liver cirrhosis, significantly bordered liver split, and bared main portal vein and even the branches.

Optimizing proton pump inhibitor therapy for treatment of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The pharmacology, rationale, and dosing optimization strategies of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) are discussed. In combination with endoscopic therapy, PPIs are the treatment of choice for UGIB. While the advent of PPIs has improved patient outcomes, controversy still exists over optimal PPI therapy for UGIB. Pharmacologic treatment in combination with endoscopic therapy has demonstrated improved outcomes in patients with nonvariceal UGIB. PPIs are the treatment of choice for suppressing gastric acid and preventing rebleeding, though a mortality benefit from these agents has not been strongly established. Although the current guidelines recommend an i.v. bolus injection followed by continuous infusion of a high-dose PPI, intermittent PPI therapy has been found to be safe and effective while significantly reducing cost, even in patients with high-risk stigmata after endoscopy. Oral PPIs may be effective in patients who can tolerate oral therapy but require further evaluation in patients with higher-risk stigmata. Regardless of stigmata, after 72 hours of i.v. therapy, patients with UGIB may be safely transitioned to oral PPIs if hemodynamically stable and able to tolerate oral medication. As the risk of rebleeding significantly decreases after the first three days, continuation of high-dose therapy beyond 72 hours is not necessary in hemodynamically stable patients. Current guidelines recommend that PPIs be given as an i.v. bolus injection followed by a continuous infusion, but intermittent i.v. dosing and oral PPI therapy have been found to be effective in treating patients with UGIB and associated with reductions in cost.

Advances in basic and clinical research on liver cirrhosis in 2016

Esophageal and gastric varices are common complications of liver cirrhosis and are seen in 50% of patients with liver cirrhosis. The annual incidence rate of esophagogastric variceal bleeding is 5%-15%, and even if the recommended treatment is used, the 6-week mortality rate is still as high as 15%-20%. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of end-stage liver disease and has an incidence rate of 10%-30% in patients with severe liver damage. SBP refers to the bacterial infection of the peritoneum and/or ascites that occurs in the absence of any inflammation in adjacent tissues (e.g., intestinal perforation and intestinal abscess). Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is the clinical syndrome manifesting as cognitive impairment in patients with chronic liver disease, and its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated and may be associated with ammonia poisoning theory, γ-aminobutyric acid and endogenous benzodiazepine complex receptor theory, and inflammatory pathway theory. This article introduces the advances in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis, SBP, and HE in 2016.

Comparing Risk-Scoring Systems for Upper GI Bleeding in the Emergency Department

Emergency departments (EDs) vary in how they follow guideline recommendations to individualize treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).

HEMOSPRAY IN THE TREATMENT OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT BLEEDING

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (GIT) bleeding remains one of the most important emergencies. It has been widely accepted that the first-line treatment for acute upper GIT bleeding, especially peptic ulcer bleeding, is endoscopic hemostasis. Endotherapy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be challenging. Hemospray is a novel hemostatic agent for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Objective: Report initial experience of hemospray use in treatment of upper GIT bleeding. Patients and Methods: The present study included twenty-five patients with acute GIT bleeding originating from variceal or non-variceal sources. Hemospray was endoscopically applied when active bleeding occurs; and outcome was measured. Results: success rate was achieved in 92.0% of cases with no unwanted side effects. Patients showed stable postoperative hemodynamics and needs no further intervention. Conclusion: hemospray appears to allow safe and effective control of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Single-Center Experience of a New Endoscopic Clip in Managing Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Introduction: To assess the safety and efficacy of a new endoscopic clip in the acute endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This is the first large series reporting this clip for achieving hemostasis. Methods: A retrospective study of patients presenting with hematemesis, melena or anemia with recent overt gastrointestinal bleeding at a tertiary care center between May 2013 and January 2016 who received clips as therapy. Demographics, pre-procedure symptoms, laboratory values, type of lesion, duration of the procedure, length of hospital stay, incidence of re-bleeding and need for additional procedures were collected. Data are expressed in absolute numbers and percentages. Results: 178 consecutive patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were included. Source of bleeding was identified as duodenal ulcer 29.2%, gastric ulcer 22.5%, gastro-esophageal junction tear 8.4 %, anastomosis 5.6%, erosive gastropathy 5.6%, Dieulafoy 5.1%, gastric polyp 4.5%, post endoscopic procedure 3.9%, angioectasia 3.4%, esophageal ulcer 2.8%, benign duodenal mass 2.8%, peg tube site 2.3%, gastric neoplasm 1.7%, esophagitis 1.1%, and small bowel ulcer 1.1%. Lesions demonstrated active bleeding in 47.5% (11.3% spurting and 36.2% oozing) and non-bleeding lesions in 52.5% (25.0% visible vessel, 11.9% hematin in an ulcer base, 10.0% adherent clot, 5.6% flat spot). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 96.6%. Additional methods were used in 24.1% (argon plasma coagulation and epinephrine injection in 21.3% at the index endoscopy, surgery in 0.6% and interventional radiology in 2.2%). There were no adverse events. In-hospital re-bleeding was 7.3% and 3.9% presented with re-bleeding within 30 days. Average procedure duration was 22.9 minutes and average length of hospital stay was 11.3 days. Conclusion: The new endoscopic Clip when used for upper gastrointestinal bleeding appears to be safe and effective. The re-bleeding rates are similar to other modalities of endoscopic hemostasis.Figure 1Figure 2

Indocyanine green retention is a potential prognostic indicator after splenectomy and pericardial devascularization for cirrhotic patients

Splenectomy and pericardial devascularization (SPD) is an effective treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hypersplenism in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Indocyanine green retention at 15 minutes (ICGR15) was reported to offer better sensitivity and specificity than the Child-Pugh classification in hepatectomy, but few reports describe ICGR15 in SPD. The present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of ICGR15 for cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who underwent SPD. From January 2012 to January 2015, 43 patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism caused by liver cirrhosis were admitted in our center and received SPD. The ICGR15, Child-Pugh classification, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and perioperative characteristics were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative liver function assessment revealed that 34 patients were Child-Pugh class A with ICGR15 of 13.6%-43.0% and MELD score of 7-20; 8 patients were class B with ICGR15 of 22.8%-40.7% and MELD score of 7-17; 1 patient was class C with ICGR15 of 39.7% and MELD score of 22. The optimal ICGR15 threshold for liver function compensation was 31.2%, which offered a sensitivity of 68.4% and a specificity of 70.8%. Univariate analysis showed preoperative ICGR15, MELD score, surgical procedure, intraoperative blood loss, and autologous blood transfusion were significantly different between postoperative liver function compensated and decompensated groups. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that ICGR15 was an independent risk factor of postoperative liver function recovery (P=0.020). ICGR15 has outperformed the Child-Pugh classification for assessing liver function in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. ICGR15 may be a suitable prognostic indicator for cirrhotic patients after SPD.

Clinical features and treatment of rare etiologies of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective To explore the clinical features and treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with rare etiologies. Methods A total of 45 cases with rare etiologies was selected from a group of 1200 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding admitted from January 2012 to December 2015. Results The incidence of gastric stromal tumor (24.4%) and Dieulafoy's lesion (20.0%) was the highest. Among rare etiologies of upper gastrointestinal bleeding were Mallory-Weiss syndrome (17.8%) and stomal ulcer and hemorrhage of efferent loops after subtotal gastrectomy (17.8%), as well as left-side portal hypertension (6.7%), liver cirrhosis complicated with variceal bleeding in the descending part of the duodenum (2.1%), esophageal hematoma (2.1%), esophageal mucosa avulsion (2.1%), P-J syndrome (2.1%), duodenal adenocarcinoma (2.1%), and cutaneous malignant melanoma with duodenal metastasis (2.1%). Conclusions Gastroscopy in early stages played a role in etiologies identification, while etiological treatments could substantially reduce recurrent bleeding rate, thus enhanced cure rate. Analysis on rare etiologies promoted the medical understanding, with clinical diagnosis and treatment improved. Key words: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage/ET/TH

Argon plasma coagulation for the endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal tumor bleeding: A retrospective comparison with a non-treated historical cohort.

The endoscopic use of argon plasma coagulation (APC) to achieve hemostasis for upper gastrointestinal tumor bleeding (UGITB) has not been adequately evaluated in controlled trials. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of APC for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from malignant lesions. Between January and September 2011, all patients with UGITB underwent high-potency APC therapy (up to 70 Watts). This group was compared with a historical cohort of patients admitted between January and December 2010, when the endoscopic treatment of bleeding malignancies was not routinely performed. Patients were stratified into two categories, grouping the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale: Category I (ECOG 0-2) patients with a good clinical status and Category II (ECOG 3-4) patients with a poor clinical status. Our study had 25 patients with UGITB whom underwent APC treatment and 28 patients whom received no endoscopic therapy. The clinical characteristics of the groups were similar, except for endoscopic active bleeding, which was more frequently detected in APC group. We had 15 patients in the APC group whom had active bleeding, and initial hemostasis was obtained in 11 of them (73.3%). In the control group, four patients had active bleeding. There were no differences in 30-day re-bleeding (33.3% in the APC group versus 14.3% in the control group; p = 0.104) and 30-day mortality rates (20.8% in the APC group, versus 42.9% in the control group; p = 0.091). When patients were categorized according to their ECOG status, we found that APC therapy had no impact in re-bleeding and mortality rates (Group I: APC versus no endoscopic treatment: re-bleeding p = 0.412, mortality p = 0.669; Group II: APC versus no endoscopic treatment: re-bleeding p = 0.505, mortality p = 0.580). Hematemesis and site of bleeding located at the esophagus or duodenum were associated with a higher 30-day mortality. Endoscopic hemostasis of UGITB with APC has no significant impact on 30-day re-bleeding and mortality rates, irrespective of patient performance status.

Surgical treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension and portal vein thrombosis

Surgical treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension and portal vein thrombosis