General Surgery - Upper GI Bleeding Flashcards
What is upper GI bleeding?
Bleeding into the lumen of the proximal
GI tract, proximal to the ligament of
Treitz
What are the signs/symptoms?
Hematemesis, melena, syncope,
shock, fatigue, coffee-ground emesis,
hematochezia, epigastric discomfort,
epigastric tenderness, signs of
hypovolemia, guaiac-positive stools
Why is it possible to have hematochezia?
Blood is a cathartic and hematochezia
usually indicates a vigorous rate of
bleeding from the UGI source
Are stools melenic or
melanotic?
Melenic (melanotic is incorrect)
How much blood do you
need to have melena?
>50 cc of blood
What are the risk factors?
Alcohol, cigarettes, liver disease, burn/
trauma, aspirin/NSAIDs, vomiting,
sepsis, steroids, previous UGI bleeding,
history of peptic ulcer disease (PUD),
esophageal varices, portal hypertension,
splenic vein thrombosis, abdominal aortic
aneurysm repair (aortoenteric fistula),
burn injury, trauma
What is the most common
cause of significant UGI
bleeding?
PUD—duodenal and gastric ulcers (50%)
What is the common differential diagnosis of UGI bleeding?
- *1. Acute gastritis
2. Duodenal ulcer**
3. Esophageal varices
4. Gastric ulcer
5. Esophageal
6. Mallory-Weiss tear
What is the uncommon differential diagnosis of UGI bleeding?
Gastric cancer, hemobilia, duodenal
diverticula, gastric volvulus, Boerhaave’s
syndrome, aortoenteric fistula,
paraesophageal hiatal hernia, epistaxis,
NGT irritation, Dieulafoy’s ulcer,
angiodysplasia
Which diagnostic tests are
useful?
History, NGT aspirate, abdominal x-ray, endoscopy (EGD)
What is the diagnostic test of
choice with UGI bleeding?
EGD (>95% diagnosis rate)
What are the treatment options with the endoscope during an EGD?
Coagulation, injection of epinephrine
(for vasoconstriction), injection of
sclerosing agents (varices), variceal ligation
(banding)
Which lab tests should be
performed?
Chem-7, bilirubin, LFTs, CBC, type & cross, PT/PTT, amylase
Why is BUN elevated?
Because of absorption of blood by the GI
tract
What is the initial treatment?
-
IVFs (16 G or larger peripheral
IVS x 2), Foley catheter (monitor
fluid status) -
NGT suction (determine rate and
amount of blood) - Water lavage (use warm H2O—will
remove clots) -
EGD: endoscopy (determine etiology/
location of bleeding and possible
treatment—coagulate bleeders)
Why irrigate in an upper GI bleed?
To remove the blood clot so you can see
the mucosa
What test may help identify
the site of MASSIVE UGI
bleeding when EGD fails to
diagnose cause and blood
continues per NGT?
Selective mesenteric angiography
What are the indications for surgical intervention in UGI bleeding?
Refractory or recurrent bleeding and site
known, >3 u PRBCS to stabilize or
>6 u PRBCs overall
What percentage of patients
require surgery?
~10%
What percentage of patients
spontaneously stop bleeding?
~80% to 85%
What is the mortality of acute UGI bleeding?
Overall 10%, 60–80 years of age 15%,
older than 80 years of age 25%
What are the risk factors for death following UGI bleed?
Age older than 60 years
Shock
>5 units of PRBC transfusion
Concomitant health problems
What is Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)?
Gastric and duodenal ulcers
What is the incidence in the United States?
~10% of the population will suffer from
PUD during their lifetime!
What are the possible
consequences of PUD?
Pain, hemorrhage, perforation, obstruction
What percentage of patients
with PUD develops bleeding
from the ulcer?
~20%
Which bacteria are
associated with PUD?
Helicobacter pylori
What is the treatment?
Treat H. pylori with MOC or ACO
2-week antibiotic regimens:
MOC: Metronidazole, Omeprazole,
Clarithromycin (Think: MOCk)
or
ACO: Ampicillin, Clarithromycin,
Omeprazole
What is the name of the sign
with RLQ pain/peritonitis as
a result of succus collecting
from a perforated peptic
ulcer?
Valentino’s sign
In which age group are duodenal ulcers most common?
40–65 years of age (younger than
patients with gastric ulcer)
What is the ratio of male to
female patients?
Men > women (3:1)
What is the most common location?
Most are within 2 cm of the pylorus in
the duodenal bulb
What is the classic pain response to food intake?
Food classically relieves duodenal ulcer
pain (Think: Duodenum = Decreased
with food)
What is the cause?
Increased production of gastric acid
What syndrome must you
always think of with a
duodenal ulcer?
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
What are the associated risk factors?
Male gender, smoking, aspirin and other
NSAIDs, uremia, Z-E syndrome,
H. pylori, trauma, burn injury
What are the symptoms?
Epigastric pain—burning or aching, usually
several hours after a meal (food, milk,
or antacids initially relieve pain)
Bleeding
Back pain
Nausea, vomiting, and anorexia
↓ appetite
What are the signs?
Tenderness in epigastric area (possibly),
guaiac-positive stool, melena,
hematochezia, hematemesis
What is the differential diagnosis?
Acute abdomen, pancreatitis, cholecystitis,
all causes of UGI bleeding, Z-E
syndrome, gastritis, MI, gastric ulcer,
reflux
How is the diagnosis made?
History, PE, EGD, UGI series
(if patient is not actively bleeding)
When is surgery indicated with a bleeding duodenal ulcer?
Most surgeons use: >6 u PRBC
transfusions, >3 u PRBCs needed to
stabilize, or significant rebleed
What EGD finding is associated with rebleeding?
Visible vessel in the ulcer crater, recent
clot, active oozing