Clinical Approach to the GI Patient: Upper GI Bleeding Flashcards
How is an acute upper GI bleed defined?
the source is proximal to the ligament of Treitz
what is the most common cause of an upper GI bleed?
PUD
what might the history be in a patient with an UGIB?
hematemesis (vomit bright red blood or coffee grounds); melena, and hematochezia (bright red blood per rectum) in massive UGIB
what are the severe symptoms of an acute upper GI bleed and what do they indicate?
indicate: anemia/ hypovolemia; orthostatic dizziness, confusion, angina, tachycardia, syncope, weakness, SOB
what are some co-morbid conditions that a patient with an acute upper GI bleed could have?
aortic stenosis, renal disease, smoking, liver disease, EtOH abuse, H. pylori, NSAIDs
how could a history of aortic stenosis and renal disease lead to an acute upper GI bleed?
the patient could have AVM, telangiectasias, and angiodysplasia
what medications could cause an acute upper GI bleed?
salicylates (aspirin), glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, and anticoagulants
what are the signs of hypovolemia?
resting tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, supine hypotension
what might the abdominal exam be in a patient with an acute upper GI bleed?
severe abdominal pain, rebound tenderness and involuntary guarding, raises concern for perforation–> rule out perforation prior to endoscopy
what are the diagnostic tools used when dealing with an acute upper GI bleed?
x-ray/CT/MRI if suspect complication; EGD with biopsy (diagnostic and therapeutic)
what is the treatment/management of a patient with an acute upper GI bleed?
identify and stabilize unstable patients; 2 large bore IVs (18 gauge or larger); IV fluid bolus if signs of shock
what should you consider in patients with varices who are presenting with an acute upper GI bleed?
possibly octreotide–> it inhibits the secretion of gastric acid, reduces blood flow to the gastroduodenal mucosa, and causes splanchnic vasoconstriction; antibiotics if a variceal bleed
what are 8 things that could cause an upper GI bleed?
PUD, stress ulcers, esophageal varices, hemorrhagic gastritis, zollinger-ellison syndrome, mallory-weiss tear/ boerhaave syndrome, dieulafoy lesion, and GAVE syndrome
what is the etiology of stress ulcers (aka stress related mucosal disease)?
burns, CNS damage, and severe surgical or medical illness (stress)
how do you diagnose a stress ulcer?
EGD (diagnostic and therapeutic)
how do treat/manage a patient with a stress ulcer?
PPI; prevention of stress ulcers in critically ill patients (ICU)–> use of H2 blocker or PPI to reduce the incidence; the use of enteral nutrition reduces the risk of stress-related bleeding
where are curling ulcer’s typically found?
in the duodenum
what are esophageal varices and what causes them?
they are dilated submucosal veins in the esophagus; most commonly develop secondary to portal hypertension (cirrhosis)
what is the presentation of esophageal varices?
they are asymptomatic unless they are complicated by bleeding
when do esophageal varices bleed?
occurs after recent retching; 1/3 of patients with varices end up having an upper GI bleed