Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhosis: clinical and endoscopic correlations

• Published in: Gut Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 37 - 40
• Main Authors: Terés, J, Bordas, J M, Bru, C, Diaz, F, Bruguera, M, Rodes, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology 01.01.1976; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Alcoholism - complications; Cirrosi hepàtica; Diagnosis; Diagnòstic; Endoscopy; Esophageal and Gastric Varices - complications; Female; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - complications; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - etiology; Hemorràgia gastrointestinal; Hepatic cirrhosis; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis - complications; Liver Cirrhosis - diagnosis; Male; Middle Aged; Peptic Ulcer - complications
• ISSN: 0017-5749; 1468-3288; 1458-3288
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.17.1.37

The clinical data of 180 episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 168 patients with cirrhosis of the liver are examined. The source of bleeding had been determined by early endoscopy in all cases. In men under the age of 50 years, and without symptoms of liver failure, bleeding was due to ruptured gastro-oesophageal varices in 84% of cases. Severe liver failure was associated with acute lesions of gastric mucosa in many cases. No presumptive diagnosis of the source of haemorrhage could be based on the examination of other clinical data (presence of ascites, mode of presentation and pattern of bleeding, history of ulcer disease, alcoholism, and previous medication.