GI bleed Flashcards
upper GI tract is
proximal to the ligament of trietz
ligament of Trietz
a fold of peritoneum that attaches the duodenojejunal flexure to the retroperitoneum
can be used as a landmark to distinguish the upper and lower GI tracts
lower Gi tract is
distal to the ileocecal valve
upper GI bleeding is bleeding from
eosophagus, stomach, duodenum (proximal to the ligament of trietz)
Lower GI bleeding is bleeding from
colon or rectum
small bowel bleeding is bleeding from
a source between the ligament of treitz and the ileocecal valve
overt GI bleeding
Gi bleeding that is visible in the form of hematemesis, melon, or hematochezia (including intermittant scant hematochezia)
causes of upper Gi bleeding
peptic ulcer disease (20-50% of cases)
eosophagitis
erosive gastritis and/or duodenitis
varices eg. gastric or eosophageal varicies
gastric astral vascular ectasia
dieulafoy lesion
angioma
telangiectasias
angiodysplasia
eosophageal cancer
gastric cancer
mallory weiss syndrome
hiatal hernias
boerhaave syndrome
foreign body ingestion
following open or endoscopic surgery
portal hypertensive gastropathy
coagulopathies
causes of LGIB
diverticular bleeding
colitis
proctitis
ulcers
haemorrhoids
intenstinal ischaemia
arteriovenous malformation
colorectal varices
colorectal cancer
anal cancer
colonic polyps
lower abdominal trauma
anorectal trauma
following open or endoscopic surgery
anal fissures
meckel’s diverticulum
etiology of lower GI bleeding in children
coagulopathies
risk factors for GI bleeding
NSAID use
antithrombotic use eg. antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulants
history of prior GI bleeding
older age
specifically for upper GI bleeding: H pylori infection, renal failure, especially in the first year of haemodialysis
coffee ground appearance of hematemesis
caused by coagulation and the presence of hematin, a dark pigment that forms when heme is oxidised by gastric acid in the stomach
most commonly caused by UGIB
melena
black tarry stool with strong offensive odour
caused by the presence of hemetin, a dark pigment formed by the oxidation of heme
in UGIB, heme is oxidised by gastric acid, in LGIB, it is oxidised by intestinal bacteria
hematochezia
passage of blood through the anus with or without stool
maroon, jelly like traces of blood indicate colonic bleeding
streaks of fresh blood indcate rectal bleeding
approach for initial management
obtain IV access for possible fluid resus and blood transfusion: two large bore peripheral IV catheters
order nill per mouth status
A-E assessment
consider intubation to protect the airway in patients with altered mental state or severe ongoing hematemesis
immediate hemodynamic support with management of haemorrhagic shock
consider anticoagulation reversal
immediate hemodynamic support should consist of
IV fluid resus with crystalloids
blood transfusion
blood transfusion for stable patients
follow a restrictive transfusion strategy
packed red blood cell transfusion if Hb is <7
a higher threshold may be considered in patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease or delays in endoscopy