UPPER GI BLEEDING Flashcards
What are the main signs of upper GI bleeds?
Haematemesis/coffee-ground vomit
Meleana
Haematochezia (only in context of profuse upper GI haemorrhage)
Haemodynamic instability - hypotension, tachycardia, syncope
Symptoms related to underlying pathology e.g. pain/jaundice etc
Whats the epidemiology and mortality of upper GI bleeds?
1 in 1,000 per year
1:2 males:females
Mortality 7-10%
What are causes of upper GI bleeds?
Varices (10-20%) - oesophageal or gastric
Gastric and duodenal ulcers (50%)
Mallory-Weiss tear (5-10%)
Oesophagitis (2-5%)
Gastritis
Duodenitis
Diverticulum
Aortoduodenal fistula
Arteriovenous malformation
Neoplasms stomach/duodenum/oesophagus
Trauma from recent surgeries and interventions
Less common:
Swallowed blood e.g. posterior nose bleed
Bleeding disorders
Aortoenteric fistula
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Gastric natural vascular ectasia
Dieulafoys lesion
What scoring system is used for suspected upper GI bleed?
Glasgow-blatchford scale
It helps clinicians decide whether pt can be managed as an outpatient or not
Outline the Glasgow-blatchford scaling system?
It asks about…
Hb
BUN
Systolic BP
Sex
HR >100
Melena present
Recent syncope
Hepatic disease history
Cardiac failure present
How do we interpret the Glasgow-blatchford score?
A score greater than 0 suggests a high risk GI bleed that is likely to require medical intervention
A score =/>6 is associated with a >50% risk of needing an intervention
Why does urea rise in upper GI bleeds?
Blood in the GIT gets broken down/digested and one of the products is urea
What is the Rockall score?
A scoring system used after endoscopy
It determines the severity of GI bleeding and what the re bleeding and mortality risk
What is in the Rockall scoring system?
Age <60, 60-79, =/>80
No shock, tachycardia, hypotension
Comorbidities (higher risk if renal failure, liver failure or disseminated malignancy)
Diagnosis of Mallory-Weiss tear, no lesion identified, all other diagnosis or maliganncy of upper GIT
Major stigmata of recent haemorrhage (none, dark spot, blood in upper GIT, adherent clot, visible/spurting vessel)
What are the risk factors for upper GI bleeds?
NSAID use
Anticoagulant use
Alcohol abuse
Chronic liver disease
CKD
Advancing age
Previous PUD or H.pylori infection
How do we formally risk assess pt with acute upper GI bleeding?
The blatchford score at first assessment
Full Rockall score after endoscopy
(Early discharge for pt with a pre-endoscopy Blatchford score of 0)
When should pt with acute upper GI bleeds have an endoscopy?
Immediately after resuscitation
Within 24 hours of admission if not severe
What proportion of pt with an acute upper GI bleed will stop bleeding spontaneously within 48 hours?
85%
How are upper GI bleeds investigated?
Upper GI endoscopy as soon as patient is stabilised
Obs
ECG
Monitor urine output
FBC, VBG, U&E, coag, LFT, clotting, Group and save with cross match
Chest X-ray
PR
Why is NSAID use a risk factor for upper GI bleeds?
NSAIDs inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are gastroprotective.
Prostaglandins work by inhibiting enterochromaffin-like cells, which are involved in the secretion of histamine. Histamine stimulates parietal cells to secrete hydrochloric acid. Therefore, inhibition of prostaglandins leads to excessive HCl secretion and damage to the underlying mucosa.
why does alcohol abuse increase risk of upper GI bleed?
It can cause Mallory-Weiss tears
why does chronic liver disease put you at risk for an upper GI bleed?
Portal hypertension can lead to gastrooesophageal varices or gastropathy
How are upper GI bleeds managed?
A-E approach
Bloods (FBC, U&E, INR, LFT, group+crossmatch)
IV access x2 large-bore
IV Crystalloid fluids
Blood transfuse if necessary. Give oxygen therapy
Platelet transfusion if necessary
Endoscopy
Drugs - stop Anticoagulation and NSAIDs (be wary about stopping platelets - risk of thrombosis)
Arrange surgery if bleeding persists
How can you remember what is in the Rockall scoring system?
ABCDE
Age
Blood pressure
Comorbidity
Diagnosis
Endoscopic findings
What are the indications for blood transfusion when managing an acute GI bleed?
Shock - pallor, cold nose, systolic BP <100, >100bpm)
Hb <100g/L
What is the half life of rivaroxaban (normal renal function)?
5-9 hrs
What is the half life of apixaban (normal renal function)?
8-15 hrs
What is the half life of dabigatran (normal renal function)?
12-14 hrs
What is the half life of edoxaban (normal renal function)?
10-14 hrs