Risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding
Kutsumi, H.; Fujimoto, S.; Rokutan, K.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 56(9): 2309-2313
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 9780711 Document Number: 485905
Gastrointestinal bleeding sometimes causes life-threatening state. It is important to understand the underlining risk factors for prevention and treatment of this condition. In 1997, 81 patients with massive gastrointestinal bleeding were admitted to the life-saving center in Kyoto First Red Cross Hospital. In these patients, 14 subjects (17%) had been receiving hemodialysis. Eight patients (10%) were taking anti-coagulant or antiplatelet drugs. Eight patients (10%) had hypertension and were given calcium antagonists. Seven subjects (9%) had liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. Because these patients often fall into life-threating state, we must pay special attention to the prevention and cure for gastrointestinal bleeding. For example, it may be necessary to change to heparin free hemodialysis for patients having active bleeding. In anticoagulated patients, it may be required that sufficient hemostatic therapy without risking thromboembolic sequelae. In addition to careful managements, we have better to consider the eradication therapy for all of these high risk groups with Helicobacter pylori infection.