Abstract
Twenty (2%) of 1,140 patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding had esophageal ulcers. Patients with esophageal ulcers most commonly had either melena (40%) or melena and hematemesis (40%). Fifty percent had orthostatic hypotension, and 80% required transfusions. Ulcers were associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use in 50%, hiatal hernia in 60%, and esophagitis in 40%. Endoscopic stigmata of recent hemorrhage consisted of cozing blood (35%) and adherent clot (25%), Six patients had multiple ulcers. The majority of ulcers (90%) were in the distal esophagus. Nine patients were endoscopically treated without complications except for rebleeding in 1 patient. Endoscopic therapy was associated with decreased duration of hospitalization. Overall mortality was 45% in these patients, but no deaths were related to bleeding. Although uncommon, esophageal ulcers are a cause of significant acute gastrointestinal bleeding that appears to respond to endoscopic treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 342-346 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of clinical gastroenterology |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1992 |
Keywords
- Barrett esophagus
- Esophagus
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- Hiatal hernia
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents
- Ulcer
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology