Abstract

ROJAS, Beatriz et al. Hemorragia digestiva superior en el Hospital Vargas de Caracas. Gen [online]. 2007, vol.61, n.1, pp.30-34. ISSN 0016-3503.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (UGIB) remains a common cause in emergency consultation and patient hospitalization. Objectives: This study reviews the experience of the Bleeding Digestive Unit at the "Hospital Vargas" in Caracas during the last four years, emphasizing the diagnosis and efficiency of endoscopic therapies in the control of acute upper GI bleeding. Patients and methods: All treated patients with Upper GI bleeding were included. Early endoscopy was performed in the first 24 hours. All the findings were recorded as well as the endoscopic therapeutic procedure performed, rebleedings and fatalities were also recorded. Results: 832 patients were included; 663 with non variceal lesions, 148 variceal and 21 without a precise cause of bleeding. Peptic ulcers were the most frequent lesions found, followed by esophagueal varices and gastroduodenal erosions. The endoscopic treatment most frecuently performed in non variceal lesions was adrenaline injection and banding for variceal lesions. Rebleeding was reported in 5.16% of patients and general mortality was 0.72%. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and endoscopic treatment constitute the most successful tools for handling patients with upper GI bleeding.

Keywords : Hemorragia; Endoscopia.