Upper GI Bleeding

1. Upper GI Bleeding DDx, Manangement, Treatment

2. Introduction • Definition: bleeding originating proximal to the ligament of Treitz (suspensory muscle of duodenum) • Incidence: 47 per 100,000 • bleeding stops spontaneously in 75% of cases • More common in males and the elderly

3. Emergency Care • Patients with profuse UGI hemorrhage may require definitive airway management to prevent aspiration of blood. • Administer oxygen and institute cardiac monitoring. • Provide volume replacement with crystalloids. • Transfusions should be based on the clinical findings of volume depletion or continued bleeding rather than initial hematocrit values. • General guidelines for initiation of blood transfusion are continued active bleeding and failure to improve perfusion and vital signs after the infusion of 2 L of crystalloid. • The threshold for blood transfusion should be lower in the elderly. Coagulation factors should be replaced, as needed.

4. Medical History • Inquire: Hx of GI bleeding, esophagealvarices, alcohol use, medications recent weight loss, change in stools, abdo pain, abdo aneurysm repair, liver disease, or abdosurgery. • Vomiting/retching suggestss Mallory–Weiss tears • Inquire: Hxof hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or rectal trauma • In AIDS/ immunocompromised patients, bleeding may be related to Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma, or cytomegalovirus ulcerations.

5. Physical Examinations • Vital signs: hypotension, tachycardia, decreased pulse pressure or tachypnea. • Cool, clammy skin is an obvious sign of shock. • Spider angiomata, palmarerythema, jaundice, and gynecomastia suggest liver disease. • Petechiaeand purpura suggest an underlying coagulopathy. • Skin findings may be suggestive of the Peutz-Jeghers, Rendu-Osler-Weber, or Gardner syndromes. • An ENT examination can reveal an occult bleeding source that has resulted in swallowed blood and subsequent coffee-ground emesis or melena. • The abdominal examination may disclose tenderness, masses, ascites, or organomegaly. • A rectal examination is indicated to detect the presence of blood and its appearance (bright red, maroon, or melanotic).

6. Diagnostic Studies • Endoscopy: gold standard tool for Dx of UGI bleeding • Locates source of bleed 75-95% of time • If actively bleeding, performed ASAP • If not, and patient is stable, performed within 24 hrs • Mesenteric angiography: • 1% of patients with upper GI bleeding • may be useful if endoscopy cannot identify a bleeding source even when active bleeding is suspected • Exploratory laparoscopy: • a group of operations that are performed with the aid of a camera placed in the abdomen

7. Laboratory Tests • Type and cross-match blood. • FBC, BUN, creatinine, electrolyte, glucose, coagulation, and liver function studies should be considered • Elevated BUN levels due to digestion and absorption of hemoglobin, and a BUN:creatinine ratio 30 is suggestive of a UGI source of bleeding. • Coagulation studies: INR, PTT, and platelet count • ECG should be considered as silent ischemia can occur secondary to the decreased oxygen delivery accompanying significant GI bleeding. Supplemental oxygen is advised for such patients.

8. Monitoring for Rebleeding • Gastric lavage: • Via nasograstic (GN) tube • Reassess with using intermittent low continuous suction • Continued bleeding or rebleeding emergent endoscopy • Stool: • Record frequency, color, and approximate amount of stool • Continued passage of bright red, maroon, or melenicstools further studies or transfusion • Hemoglobin/Hematocrit: • Check every 4 hours

11. Pathophysiology • Peptic Ulcer Disease • Gastritis • Esophagealand Gastric Varices • Mallory-Weiss Syndrome • Other Causes

12. Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) • Clinical Findings: epigastric to LU quadrant burning pain, pain can be made worse/better with food depending on location of ulcer • Treatment: • PPIs • Somatostatin: peptide reduce splanchnic blood flow, GI motility, inhibit acid secretion, etc. • Disposition: • Admit patients with: active bleeding, tachycardia, hypotension, anaemia, >65 yo, significant comorbid disease. • Otherwise, a follow up with gastroenterologist and discharged

13. Gastritis • Definition: inflammation of the lining of the stomach • Clinical Findings: Although gastritis is asymptomatic in many cases, patients may experience anorexia, nausea, dyspepsia, pain, and immediate postprandial emesis. • Gastritis rarely results in massive bleeding by itself, but it can occur in the presence of portal hypertension and coagulopathies. • Treatment: Continue nasogastriclavage until brisk bleeding has resolved. • For nonbleeding, clinically suspected gastritis, a trial of an antacid with viscous lidocaine ("GI cocktail") may provide quick relief. • Consider prescribing a proton-pump inhibitor or any of the many over-the-counter histamine H2 antagonists.

14. EsophagealVarices • Cause • underlying liver disease and portal hypertension are at increased risk for esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding. 40% develop this symptom • Mortality 30-50% • Alcohol-induced and viral cirrhosis most common in USA • Parasite most common in developing countries • Clinical: cannot be clinically diagnosed on the basis of signs and symptoms alone. • approximately 50% of patients with known varices who present with GI bleeding, the bleeding is from a source other than the varices. Endoscopic verification is mandatory for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

15. Treatment • Medical Therapy • evacuation of gastric contents including blood. • octreotidehas been proven effective in controlling bleeding. Octreotide decreases splanchnic and hepatic blood flow as well as transhepatic and variceal pressures. • Endoscopic Therapy • Sclerotherapy • involves the injection of various sclerosing agents to promote thrombus formation. Band ligation uses endoscopically placed rubber bands, which block blood flow and promote thrombus formation. Both therapies work well in over 90% of patients, but band ligation is associated with fewer complications. • Balloon Tamponade • In rare circumstances it may be necessary to insert the Sengstaken–Blakemore tube to tamponade uncontrolled hemorrhage prior to endoscopic confirmation. • It compress swollen blood vessels called

17. Mallory-Weis Syndrome • Definition: Tears in the esophageal mucosa and submucosa that usually occur after forceful retching and vomiting. Bleed stops spontaneously. • 3% mortality • Clinical Findings: retching, vomiting • this disorder has been reported following chest compressions, coughing, sneezing, or even straining with bowel movement. • Many cases have no discernible predisposing factor. • Treatment: Provide emergency management. • Nasogastriclavage until clear. For persistent bleeding, consult with an endoscopist for emergent EGD • A proton-pump inhibitor may be used to reduce acid or bile that may impair healing of the mucosal tear. • Treating precipitating factors such as antiemetics for nausea and vomiting. • most patients stop bleeding spontaneously with healing of the mucosal tear in 48–72 hours.

18. Other Causes • Stress ulcer • arteriovenous malformation • malignancy • Ear, nose, and throat sources of bleeding can also masquerade as GI hemorrhage.