Lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding

Lower GI bleeding can be slow and chronic or massive and fatal. ED evaluation of these patients begins with history directed at determining the severity and amount of bleeding, and eliciting symptoms of volume depletion. Physical examination determines orthostasis, exclusion of an upper GI source for bleeding, and rectal examination. Laboratory evaluation is directed at determining baseline status of hemoglobin/hematocrit and platelet adequacy, as well as assessing concomitant medical problems. Although many of these patients are elderly, resuscitation is vigorous and should not be deterred by other medical problems. Differential diagnosis can be broad in the ED, but the vast majority of bleeding is caused by diverticulosis or angiodysplasia. Diagnostic capabilities are limited in the ED, but our skill at stabilization and resuscitation has helped decrease morbidity and mortality in acute lower GI bleeding.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): a pediatric perspective

The TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) procedure is a relatively new therapeutic treatment option for variceal bleeding secondary to portal hypertension. The TIPS procedure evolved in response to the need for a safe, nonoperative shunting procedure, and is becoming a practical alternative to surgically placed shunts. Possible complications of a TIPS include hemorrhage, postprocedure sepsis, shunt encephalopathy or decompensation. Development of shunt stenosis or occlusion is associated with re-bleeding. Three children (ages 10-13) with recurrent, significant variceal bleeding were referred for the TIPS procedure. Two had recurrent GI hemorrhage despite sclerotherapy. To date, all have maintained shunt patency for up to 1 year. None of these children have had significant re-bleeding episodes, and the only recurrence of varices was associated with an obstructed shunt. In this article, the author reviews both conventional treatment and the TIPS procedure for the child with bleeding varices. Nursing implications from a pediatric perspective are emphasized. Pediatric GI nurses must understand TIPS in order to prepare the child and family and to monitor for complications or shunt failure afterward.     

Depression and the risk of coronary heart disease in the Normative Aging Study

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is common after liver transplantation in children and is associated with the risk of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). METHODS: This retrospective study examined the frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and the risk of PTLD in pediatric liver recipients who developed symptomatic EBV infection. We reviewed 172 children who received orthotopic liver transplants between March 1988 to December 1994. Twenty-two cases were retransplants. The mean age at transplantation was 3.7 years (range, 0.1-17 years). The immunosuppressive regimens consisted of induction therapy with Minnesota antilymphocyte globulin/antithymocyte globulin/OKT3 in most cases and maintenance therapy with prednisone and either cyclosporine or tacrolimus (FK506). RESULTS: After 1 year of minimum follow-up, 54 of 172 patients had symptomatic EBV infections (confirmed by serology, histology, or whole blood polymerase chain reaction. At the time of infection, 38.5% (21/54) had either diarrhea or GI bleeding or both. PTLD developed in 11 patients (6.4%). The incidence of PTLD was 42.9% (9/21) when GI bleeding or diarrhea was associated with EBV infections, compared with 6.1% (2/33) when EBV infection was not associated with GI symptoms. Seven of 10 (70%) patients with GI bleeding and 2 of 11 (18.2%) with diarrhea developed PTLD. Of seven patients examined by endoscopy for GI bleeding, two had biopsy-proven PTLD of the GI tract, whereas one of two patients examined by endoscopy for diarrhea had biopsy-proven PTLD. DISCUSSION: In summary, a high incidence of PTLD was found in patients who developed GI bleeding or diarrhea associated with EBV infection after pediatric liver transplantation. In these patients, endoscopy and biopsy may lead to early diagnosis of PTLD.     

The role of nuclear medicine in acute gastrointestinal bleeding

In most patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding endoscopy will locate the site and cause of bleeding, and also provide an opportunity for local therapy. The cause of lower GI bleeding is often difficult to attribute, even when pathology is found by colonoscopy or barium enema. Nuclear medicine techniques can be used to identify the site of bleeding in those patients in whom the initial diagnostic procedures are negative or inconclusive. Methods using transient labelling of blood (e.g. 99Tcm-sulphur colloid) produce a high target-to-background ratio in positive cases, give quick results and localize bleeding sites accurately, but depend upon bleeding being active at the time of injection. Techniques using stable blood labelling (e.g. 99Tcm-labelled red blood cells) may be positive even with intermittent bleeding but may take several hours to produce a result and are less precise in localization. In order for these methods to become more widely accepted by physicians and surgeons, and for them to be cost-effective, patients should be carefully selected. The most useful application is in patients with recurrent or prolonged bleeding, those with inconclusive endoscopy or barium studies, and those who are high-risk surgical candidates.     

Endoscopic injection treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding in hemophiliacs

The aims of this prospective study were to determine the patterns of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in hemophiliacs and to assess the hemostatic effect of injection therapy with alcohol. During a 5-year period (1990-1994) 89 hemophiliacs were admitted to our department with acute GI bleeding. Among these patients duodenal ulcer was found endoscopically to be the most common (42.7%) cause of hemorrhage; gastric ulcer was the source of the bleeding in only three patients (3.4%). A group of 46 patients met the criteria of active or recent bleeding and underwent injection therapy with alcohol. The injected bleeding lesions were duodenal ulcer in 32 patients, duodenal erosion in 2, gastric ulcer in 3, and other gastric lesions (Mallory-Weiss tear, Dieulafoy lesion, stomal ulcer, erosions) in 9 patients. Initial hemostasis was achieved in 100% and permanent hemostasis in 82.6%. Rebleeding was observed in eight patients (17.4%), with five of them successfully treated by reinjections. Three patients (6.5%) required emergency surgery. The mortality rate in the group of injected patients was 2.2%. One patient died of stroke on day 10 after partial gastrectomy. All injected patients were given replacement therapy with factor VIII or IX for 2 days (29 patients) or 7 to 14 days (17 patients). Analysis of the hemostatic effect achieved in these two subgroups indicate that short-term replacement therapy (2 days) may be sufficient to ensure adequate hemostasis in hemophiliacs. The results of the present study indicate that injection therapy with alcohol is an effective, safe, proved method to control GI bleeding in hemophiliacs.     

Indomethacin-induced colonic ulceration and bleeding

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. CASE SUMMARY: A patient in whom short-term ingestion of indomethacin was associated with colonic ulceration and significant gastrointestinal bleeding is described. DISCUSSION: The bleeding ulceration of the ascending colon, associated in our patient with short-term indomethacin intake, confirms previous reports of the drug's deleterious effect on the lower GI tract. The incidence of NSAID injury of the small intestinal colon may be higher than that previously reported. CONCLUSIONS: A prospective study of NSAID users could assess the magnitude of lower GI lesions, concomitant with upper GI evaluation, and help determine limitations in the use of this drug class.     

Hiatal hernia with cameron ulcers and erosions

Cameron lesions are seen in 5.2% of patients with hiatal hernias who undergo EGD examinations. The prevalence of Cameron lesions seems to be dependent on the size of the hernia sac, with an increased prevalence the larger the hernia sac. In about two thirds of the cases, multiple Cameron lesions are noted rather than a solitary erosion or ulcer. Historically, Cameron lesions present clinically with chronic GI bleeding and associated iron deficiency anemia. With increased awareness of the existence of this lesion, however, it is now more frequently seen as an incidental finding during EGD. Cameron lesions can also present as acute upper GI bleeding, occasionally life-threatening, in up to one third of cases. Therefore, Cameron lesions should be considered in any patient in whom a hiatal hernia is noted during endoscopic examination. Concomitant acid-peptic diseases are seen in a majority of individuals, especially reflux esophagitis and its complications. Mechanical trauma, ischemia, and acid mucosal injury may play a role in the pathogenesis of Cameron lesions. The choice of therapy of Cameron lesions, medical or surgical, should be individualized for each patient. Of those patients who were treated with a spectrum of medical therapy and who have had long-term follow-up, about one third have had a recurrence of the lesion and 17% (8/48) have developed complications, most commonly either acute upper GI bleeding (6.3%) or persistent and recurrent iron deficiency anemia (8.3%).     

Gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are uncommon complications with significant morbidity and mortality rates. METHODS: From 1988 to 1995, 36 GI complications were identified in 3158 patients who underwent cardiac surgery (1.14% incidence). The mortality rate was 13.9%. Complications included hemorrhage in the GI tract in 22, perforated ulcer in 3, acute cholecystitis in 3, pancreatitis in 2, mesenteric ischemia in 3, diverticulitis in 1 and liver failure in 2 patients. RESULTS: Clinical risk factors included advanced age, combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)-valve operation, postoperative low cardiac output (LCO), prolonged ventilation time, re-exploration of the chest, sternal infection and a positive history of peptic ulcer. Patients with a prolonged pump time had an increased risk of GI complications (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal complications, although of low incidence, carry a significantly high mortality, and the clinician must be alert to institute early appropriate treatment.     

Clinical evaluation of cimetidine, sucralfate, and misoprostol for prevention of gastrointestinal tract bleeding in dogs undergoing spinal surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding in dogs undergoing spinal surgery with adjunct corticosteroid treatment, and to determine the protective efficacy of cimetidine, sucralfate, and misoprostol against such bleeding in these dogs. ANIMALS: 40 dogs that underwent spinal surgery. PROCEDURES: Myelography and surgery were performed on the first or second day of hospitalization. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate was given at a dosage of 30 mg/kg of body weight prior to myelography, followed by a second full or half dose 2 to 4 hours later at clinician discretion. Spinal surgery was performed in conventional manner, postoperative administration of analgesics was done, and dogs were fed a diet lacking red meat. Dogs were assigned at random to 1 of the 3 treatment groups or to the control group. Dogs of the treatment groups received cimetidine, sucralfate, or misoprostol. Physical examination and determination of PCV and serum total protein values were performed daily. A fecal sample was examined daily for gross and occult blood. RESULTS: 36 of 40 dogs had GI tract bleeding during a hospitalization period of 3 to 6 days. There was no significant difference in development of bleeding between the control group and any of the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal tract bleeding occurred in 90% of dogs undergoing spinal surgery combined with administration of methylprednisilone sodium succinate, a higher rate than that found in previous studies. This bleeding was not life-threatening. Prophylactic benefit from any of the GI protectants tested was not found.     

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding from Meckel''s diverticulum in a 91-year-old man

Although Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, complications in adults are rare, especially in the elderly. Intestinal obstruction is the most common complication in the adult, and inflammation mimicking acute appendicitis may also occur. Lower GI bleeding as a result of Meckel's diverticulum with ectopic gastric mucosa is distinctly unusual among the elderly, with most previous case reports involving patients under the age of 40. The case we report involved a 91-year-old man with massive lower GI hemorrhage found to be due to a Meckel's diverticulum with ectopic gastric mucosa.     

Stigmata of hemorrhage in bleeding ulcers

Models for predicting rebleeding after upper GI bleeding, and practice guidelines to determine management of these patients, must include not only endoscopic findings but clinical variables, such as severity of blood loss and the age and comorbidity of the patient. The importance of these variables in determining rebleeding risk, and the high degree of interobserver variability in identifying stigmata of hemorrhage, suggest that management strategies based too heavily on stigmata result in inappropriate discharge of some patients. The validity of various management strategies incorporating stigmata of hemorrhage needs to be prospectively assessed.     

Improvement in gastrointestinal tolerability of the selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, meloxicam, compared with piroxicam: results of the Safety and Efficacy Large-scale Evaluation of COX-inhibiting Therapies (SELECT) trial in osteoarthritis

SELECT is a large-scale, prospective, international, multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, parallel-group trial. Patients with exacerbation of osteoarthritis were treated with the recommended dose of meloxicam (7.5 mg) or piroxicam (20 mg) once daily for 28 days; 4320 patients were administered meloxicam and 4336 piroxicam. The incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in the meloxicam group (22.5%) compared with the piroxicam group (27.9%; P < 0.001), mainly due to the significantly lower incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events in the meloxicam than in the piroxicam group (10.3% vs 15.4%,; P < 0.001), while the efficacy of both drugs was equivalent. Individual GI events occurred significantly less often with meloxicam than piroxicam: dyspepsia (3.4% vs 5.8%; P < 0.001), nausea/vomiting (2.5% vs 3.4%; P < 0.05) and abdominal pain (2.1% vs 3.6%; P < 0.001). There were 16 patients with perforations, ulcerations or bleeding (PUBs) of the upper GI tract in the piroxicam group compared with seven in the meloxicam group (relative risk piroxicam:meloxicam = 1.4). Four PUBs were complicated (perforations or bleedings); none of these occurred in the meloxicam group (relative risk piroxicam:meloxicam = 1.9). The outcome of SELECT is consistent with that of the large-scale clinical trial of similar design and size which compared 7.5 mg meloxicam with 100 mg diclofenac in patients with osteoarthritis, and with a previous global analysis of the safety of meloxicam. It adds further data to the proposed relationship between selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and improved GI tolerability of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.     

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding

Diagnosis and intervention in pediatric GI bleeding is the shared responsibility of pediatric endoscopists, radiologists, and surgeons. Brisk hemorrhage, though alarming, is most often self-limited; few cases require urgent surgery before diagnostic evaluation is accomplished. The choice between endoscopic and radiographic evaluation varies with the differential diagnoses being considered and with local referral patterns. Many imaging options exist for assessing GI bleeding in children, but these options are generally narrowed by clinical history and age-appropriate differential possibilities.     

Exulceratio simplex dieulafoy

Bleeding on probing (BOP) and the gingival index have been used to clinically characterize the degree of gingival inflammation. It is, however, unclear to what extent these parameters correlate to each other and to probing pocket depth (PD). The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the association between BOP and GI bleeding (scores of 2 and 3), as well as the relationship of these variables to PD, in a group of patients presenting with naturally-occurring gingivitis. Based on screening examinations of 125 subjects with at least 20 teeth, no more than 4 sites with PD over 6 mm, a BOP frequency of 30% or greater, and no systemic condition that would influence the inflammatory response, were selected. 2 weeks after screening they were examined at 6 sites per tooth for plaque index, GI, PD and BOP. A standardized pressure sensitive probe (Florida Probe) with 20 g probing force was used for BOP and PD measurements. In this population, means of 40.9% (S.E. = 1.36) BOP sites and 35.3% (S.E. = 1.81) GI bleeding sites per patient were found. A total of 20,008 sites ranging in PD up to 5.9 mm were evaluated; however, the majority of sites (19,723, 98.6%) presented with < 4 mm PD. When sites were evaluated, BOP demonstrated a positive correlation with PD, whereas GI bleeding correlated with PD. For sites characterized by the absence of BOP as well as the absence of GI bleeding (scores 0 and 1), the highest % of agreement between the 2 indices (77.7%) was found in shallow sites (0.1-2 mm).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Laser therapy for gastrointestinal bleeding

Lasers are important in the development of endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. Laser therapy was the first endoscopic therapy for hemostasis to be assessed in large numbers of randomized controlled trials. The evidence for efficacy of laser treatment of bleeding is greater than for any other endoscopic treatment method. No other therapy for GI bleeding has been as rigorously tested.     

Thermal therapy for gastrointestinal bleeding

Thermal therapies were the initial forms of endoscopic treatment for GI bleeding more than 20 years ago. Other new technologies have emerged, but thermal treatment with multipolar coagulation or heat probe therapy remains as good as newer techniques. Initial hemostasis rates continue to be 90% or greater. However, rebleeding in about 15% remains a problem. The devices are safe and generally affordable.     

Portal hypertension: A surgical hepatologist's view of current management

Current strategies for management of acute esophageal variceal bleeding and for long-term treatment after an episode of variceal bleeding are outlined. Acute variceal bleeding is best managed by means of endoscopic therapy (sclerotherapy, band ligation, or "superglue"), whereas the role of pharmacologic agents remains controversial. In cases of failure of endoscopic therapy, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure, an emergency shunt, or a transection operation should be performed. Patients who experience an acute variceal bleeding episode require long-term management to prevent recurrent bleeding. Endoscopic treatment is preferred using either sclerotherapy or banding. The principal alternative is long-term pharmacologic therapy with beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents. Major surgical procedures should be reserved for failures of endoscopic or pharmacologic therapy. The distal splenorenal shunt or the new narrow-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene portacaval shunt is preferred. All patients who are first seen with acute variceal bleeding should be considered for a liver transplant, although few will ultimately become transplant candidates. Patients with end-stage liver disease who are not transplant candidates should be identified and major high-cost therapy discontinued. Prophylactic therapy prior to variceal bleeding should be considered in selected patients. At present, only pharmacologic therapy is justified. The major problem remains identification of those patients at high risk for a first episode of variceal bleeding.     

Endoscopic treatment of major bleeding from advanced gastroduodenal malignant lesions

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the results of endoscopic therapy for acute hemorrhage from gastroduodenal malignant lesions. DESIGN: The 3-year experience (1989 through 1991) of a specialized gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding team in the endoscopic treatment of acute upper GI bleeding from gastroduodenal malignant tumors was retrospectively reviewed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 1,083 consecutive patients with acute major upper GI hemorrhage, 21 (1.9%) were found to have advanced tumors of the stomach and duodenum, 15 of whom received endoscopic therapy. In this study group of 15 patients, the tumors were gastric in 11 and duodenal in 4. Endoscopic treatment consisted of injection of epinephrine, heater probe coagulation, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser coagulation, or injection of sodium tetradecyl sulfate. RESULTS: Initial endoscopic hemostasis was achieved in 10 of the 15 patients (67%); however, bleeding recurred in 8 of 10 (80%), and all 5 in whom endoscopic hemostasis was not achieved continued to bleed. Mean transfusion requirements for the 30 days before and the 30 days after the first endoscopic treatment were 7.6 and 6.4 units of packed erythrocytes, respectively (P > 0.10). Five major procedure-related complications occurred, two of which were fatal. The median duration of survival after the first endoscopic treatment was 39 days (range, 1 to 1,414). CONCLUSION: In patients with major bleeding from advanced gastroduodenal malignant lesions, endoscopic therapy seems to provide limited benefit.     

Gastrointestinal complications associated with intramuscular ketorolac tromethamine therapy in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: To report 3 cases of gastrointestinal (GI) complications associated with the use of intramuscular ketorolac tromethamine therapy in elderly patients. CASE SUMMARIES: In case 1, an 88-year-old woman was taken to surgery for the management of an acute abdomen and repair of a 2+ cm perforated prepyloric gastric ulcer. The patient had received a total 16 doses of ketorolac 30 mg im. The patient died after surgery from complications associated with bacterial and candidal sepsis, as well as acute renal failure. In case 2, an 80-year-old woman with no known history of GI problems developed a prepyloric gastric ulcer, which perforated and penetrated into the pancreas after the patient received 13 doses of ketorolac 30 mg im. The patient died from complications associated with candidal sepsis, peritonitis, and cardiopulmonary collapse. In case 3, an 85-year-old man with a history of a gastric ulcer developed GI bleeding after receiving a total of 9 doses of ketorolac 30 mg im. The bleeding was stabilized and the patient was discharged 12 days later in stable condition. DISCUSSION: Ketorolac tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with potent analgesic properties. We report 3 cases of GI complications associated with intramuscular ketorolac therapy in the elderly. A temporal relationship was established with the development of gastric ulceration in 2 patients and the recurrence of a gastric ulcer in the third patient. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that the manufacturer's guidelines be followed when ketorolac is used in elderly patients, and the drug should not be used in patients with a history of gastric ulcer disease. The use of misoprostol may be warranted as prophylactic therapy in high-risk patients who are receiving ketorolac.     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma metastases to the small intestine and colon presenting as an intussusception

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma metastases to the small intestine and colon presenting as an intussusception is described. Although malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in late adult life, GI involvement has rarely been reported. The review of both our case and eight cases in the English-language literature suggests that GI involvement from malignant fibrous histiocytoma occurs most frequently in the small intestine (six of nine) and that two major clinical manifestations of GI involvement are GI bleeding (five of nine) from ulcerated tumors and intussusception (two of nine) led by polypoid tumors.