A Study of the Causes of In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for death during hospitalization in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB).Methods:260 patients with AMI complicated by GIB who were admitted to the cardiology department of a hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.27 patients who died during hospitalization were designated as the control group and the 233 patients who survived as the observation group.Baseline data and clinical indexes of patients in the two groups were compared,and multifactorial logistic regression was applied to analyze the risk factors for death during hospitalization in patients with AMI complicated by GIB.Results:Univariate analysis showed that the control group had higher proportions of patients with Killip classification III to IV on admission,new arrhythmias,and mechanical complications,as well as higher heart rates,white blood cell counts,urea nitrogen,and creatinine levels.The proportion of patients who received transfusion therapy during hospitalization was also higher in the control group.Conversely,the control group had lower systolic and left ventricular ejection fraction rates compared to the observation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that new-onset arrhythmia(OR=2.724,95%CI 1.289-5.759),heart rate>100 beats/min(OR=3.824,95%CI 1.472-9.927),left ventricular ejection fraction<50%(OR=1.884,95%CI 0.893-3.968),BUN level(OR=1.029,95%CI 1.007-1.052),and blood transfusion(OR=3.774,95%CI 1.124-6.345)were independently associated with an increased risk of death during hospitalization in patients with AMI complicated by GIB.Conclusions:New arrhythmia,heart rate>100 beats/min,left ventricular ejection fraction<50%,elevated BUN levels,and blood transfusion are risk factors for death during hospitalization in patients with AMI complicated by GIB.

Update on risk scoring systems for patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGIH) remains a common medical emergency worldwide. It is increasingly recognised that early risk assessment is an important part of management, which helps direct appropriate patient care and the timing of endoscopy. Several risk scores have been developed, most of which include endoscopic findings, although a minority do not. These scores were developed to identify various end-points including mortality, rebleeding or clinical intervention in the form of transfusion, endoscopic therapy or surgery. Recent studies have reported accurate identification of a very low risk group on presentation, using scores which require simple clinical or laboratory parameters only. This group may not require admission, but could be managed with early out-patient endoscopy. This article aims to describe the existing pre- and post-endoscopy risk scores for UGIH and assess the published data comparing them in the prediction of outcome. Recent data assessing their use in clinical practice, in particular the early identification of low-risk patients, are also discussed.

Extravasated contrast volumetric assessment on computed tomography angiography in gastrointestinal bleeding:A useful predictor of positive angiographic findings

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB)is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition,especially in cases of delayed treatment.Computed tomography angiography(CTA)plays a pivotal role in the early identification of upper and lower GIB and in the prompt treatment of the haemorrhage.AIM To determine whether a volumetric estimation of the extravasated contrast at CTA in GIB may be a predictor of subsequent positive angiographic findings.METHODS In this retrospective single-centre study,35 patients(22 men;median age 69 years;range 16-92 years)admitted to our institution for active GIB detected at CTA and further submitted to catheter angiography between January 2018 and February 2022 were enrolled.Twenty-three(65.7%)patients underwent endoscopy before CTA.Bleeding volumetry was evaluated in both arterial and venous phases via a semi-automated dedicated software.Bleeding rate was obtained from volume change between the two phases and standardised for unit time.Patients were divided into two groups,according to the angiographic signs and their concordance with CTA.RESULTS Upper bleeding accounted for 42.9%and lower GIB for 57.1%.Mean haemoglobin value at the admission was 7.7 g/dL.A concordance between positive CTA and direct angiographic bleeding signs was found in 19(54.3%)cases.Despite no significant differences in terms of bleeding volume in the arterial phase(0.55 mL vs 0.33 mL,P=0.35),a statistically significant volume increase in the venous phase was identified in the group of patients with positive angiography(2.06 mL vs 0.9 mL,P=0.02).In the latter patient group,a significant increase in bleeding rate was also detected(2.18 mL/min vs 0.19 mL/min,P=0.02).CONCLUSION In GIB of any origin,extravasated contrast volumetric analysis at CTA could be a predictor of positive angiography and may help in avoiding further unnecessary procedures.

The global epidemiology of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in general population:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB)is a common and potentially life-threatening clinical event.To date,the literature on the long-term global epidemiology of GIB has not been systematically reviewed.AIM To systematically review the published literature on the worldwide epidemiology of upper and lower GIB.METHODS EMBASE®and MEDLINE were queried from 01 January 1965 to September 17,2019 to identify population-based studies reporting incidence,mortality,or casefatality rates of upper GIB(UGIB)or lower GIB(LGIB)in the general adult population,worldwide.Relevant outcome data were extracted and summarized(including data on rebleeding following initial occurrence of GIB when available).All included studies were assessed for risk of bias based upon reporting guidelines.RESULTS Of 4203 retrieved database hits,41 studies were included,comprising a total of around 4.1 million patients with GIB worldwide from 1980–2012.Thirty-three studies reported rates for UGIB,four for LGIB,and four presented data on both.Incidence rates ranged from 15.0 to 172.0/100000 person-years for UGIB,and from 20.5 to 87.0/100000 person-years for LGIB.Thirteen studies reported on temporal trends,generally showing an overall decline in UGIB incidence over time,although a slight increase between 2003 and 2005 followed by a decline was shown in 5/13 studies.GIB-related mortality data were available from six studies for UGIB,with rates ranging from 0.9 to 9.8/100000 person-years,and from three studies for LGIB,with rates ranging from 0.8 to 3.5/100000 person-years.Casefatality rate ranged from 0.7%to 4.8%for UGIB and 0.5%to 8.0%for LGIB.Rates of rebleeding ranged from 7.3%to 32.5%for UGIB and from 6.7%to 13.5%for LGIB.Two main areas of potential bias were the differences in the operational GIB definition used and inadequate information on how missing data were handled.CONCLUSION Wide variation was seen in estimates of GIB epidemiology,likely due to high heterogeneity between studies however,UGIB showed a decreasing trend over the years.Epidemiological data were more widely available for UGIB than for LGIB.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction is associated with mortality in severe burn patients:a 10-year retrospective observational study from South China

Background:Data on severe and extensive burns in China are limited,as is data on the prevalence of a range of related gastrointestinal(GI)disorders[such as stress ulcers,delayed defecation,opioid-related bowel immotility,and abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS)].We present a multicentre analysis of coincident GI dysfunction and its effect on burn-related mortality.Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with severe[≥20%total burn surface area(TBSA)]and extensive(>50%TBSA or>25%full-thickness TBSA)burns admitted to three university teaching institutions in China between January 1,2011 and December 31,2020.Both 30-and 90-day mortality were assessed by collating demographic data,burn causes,admission TBSA,%full-thickness TBSA,Baux score,Abbreviated Burn Severity Index(ABSI)score,and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score,shock at admission and the presence of an inhalation injury.GI dysfunction included abdominal distension,nausea/vomiting,diarrhoea/constipation,GI ulcer/haemorrhage,paralytic ileus,feeding intolerance and ACS.Surgeries,length of intensive care unit(ICU)stay,pain control[in morphine milligram equivalents(MME)]and overall length of hospital stay(LOHS)were recorded.Results:We analyzed 328 patients[75.6%male,mean age:(41.6±13.6)years]with a median TBSA of 62.0%(41.0%–80.0%);256(78.0%)patients presented with extensive burns.The 90-day mortality was 23.2%(76/328),with 64(84.2%)of these deaths occurring within 30 d and 25(32.9%)occurring within 7 d.GI dysfunction was experienced by 45.4%of patients and had a significant effect on 90-day mortality[odds ratio(OR)=14.070,95%confidence interval(CI)5.886–38.290,P<0.001].Multivariate analysis showed that GI dysfunction was associated with admission SOFA score and%full-thickness TBSA.Overall,88.2%(67/76)of deceased patients had GI dysfunction[hazard ratio(HR)for death of GI dysfunction=5.951],with a survival advantage for functional disorders(diarrhoea,constipation,or nausea/vomiting)over GI ulcer/haemorrhage(P<0.001).Conclusion:Patients with severe burns have an unfavourable prognosis,as nearly one-fifth died within 90 d.Half of our patients had comorbidities related to GI dysfunction,among which GI ulcers and haemorrhages were independently correlated with 90-day mortality.More attention should be given to severe burn patients with GI dysfunction.

AIMS65: A promising upper gastrointestinal bleeding risk score but further validation required

A novel upper gastrointestinal bleeding risk stratification score(AIMS65) has recently been developed and validated. It has advantages over existing risk scores including being easy to remember and lack of subjectivity in calculation. We comment on a recent study that has cast doubt on the applicability of AIMS65 in the peptic ulcer disease population. Although promising, further studies are required to evaluate the validity of AIMS65 in various populations.

Is the AIM65 score useful in predicting outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding?

AIM:To evaluate the applicability of AIMS65 scores in predicting outcomes of peptic ulcer bleeding.METHODS:This was a retrospective study in a single center between January 2006 and December 2011.We enrolled 522 patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage who visited the emergency room.Highrisk patients were regarded as those who had rebleeding within 30 d from the first endoscopy as well as those who died within 30 d of visiting the Emergency room.A total of 149 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were analysed,and the AIMS65 score was used to retrospectively predict the high-risk patients.RESULTS:A total of 149 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were analysed.The poor outcome group comprised 28 patients[male:23(82.1%)vs female:5(10.7%)]while the good outcome group included 121patients[male:93(76.9%)vs female:28(23.1%)].The mean age in each group was not significantly different.The mean serum albumin levels in the poor outcome group were slightly lower than those in the good outcome group(P=0.072).For the prediction of poor outcome,the AIMS65 score had a sensitivity of35.5%(95%CI:27.0-44.8)and a specificity of 82.1%(95%CI:63.1-93.9)at a score of 0.The AIMS65 score was insufficient for predicting outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding(area under curve=0.571;95%CI:0.49-0.65).CONCLUSION:The AIMS65 score may therefore not be suitable for predicting clinical outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding.Low albumin levels may be a risk factor associated with high mortality in peptic ulcer bleeding.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis in inflammatory bowel diseases:Report of a case

In patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) the prevalence of thrombosis is 6.2%, the average incidence of thromboembolism (TE) is 3.6 times higher compared to normal population. The TE is a common extraintestinal complication of IBD, squarely associated with the IBD activity. The application of antico-agulant and thrombolytic therapy in severe IBD is an unresolved issue. Herein we report the first case in literature of an active IBD patient with an upper limb acute arterial occlusion and successful catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). A 46-year-old male patient is reported who had Crohn's disease for 10 years. His right hand suddenly became cold and painful. Angiography proved acute occlusion of the brachial and radial artery. Vascular surgery intervention was not applicable. Endoscopy showed extended, severe inflammation of the colon. Despite the severe endoscopic findings, frequent bloody stools and moderate anaemia, CDT with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was performed. The control angiography proved improvement, the radial artery pulse appeared. No bleeding complication was observed. This case supports that CDT-after careful estimation of the bleeding risk-can be effective and safe in patients with severe or life-threatening TE and active IBD.

Endoscopic treatment of primary aorto-enteric fistulas:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Primary aorto-enteric fistula(PAEF)is a rare condition,traditionally treated in the acute,bleeding phase with open surgery or endovascular repair.However,these approaches have high morbidity and mortality,indicating a need for new methods.With advances in endoscopic techniques and equipment,haemoclipping of fistulas has now become feasible.Therefore,we present a systematic review of the English literature and a rare case of a PAEF successfully treated by endoscopic haemoclipping.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old man with an abdominal aortic aneurysm presented with symptoms of haemorrhagic shock and bloody stools.An oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy was performed with haemoclipping of a suspected PAEF in the third part of the duodenum.Afterward,a computed tomography-angiography showed a contrast filled protrusion from the abdominal aortic aneurysm.Based on the clinical presentation and the combined endoscopic and radiographic findings,we argue that this is a case of a PAEF.CONCLUSION Endoscopic therapy appears capable of achieving haemodynamic stabilisation in patients with bleeding PAEF,serving as a bridge to final therapy.