Advancements in hemostatic strategies for managing upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A comprehensive review

Upper gastrointestinal(GI)hemorrhage presents a substantial clinical challenge.Initial management typically involves resuscitation and endoscopy within 24 h,although the benefit of very early endoscopy(<12 h)for high-risk patients is debated.Treatment goals include stopping acute bleeding,preventing rebleeding,and using a multimodal approach encompassing endoscopic,pharmacological,angiographic,and surgical methods.Pharmacological agents such as vasopressin,prostaglandins,and proton pump inhibitors are effective,but the increase in antithrombotic use has increased GI bleeding morbidity.Endoscopic hemostasis,particularly for nonvariceal bleeding,employs techniques such as electrocoagu-lation and heater probes,with concerns over tissue injury from monopolar electrocoagulation.Novel methods such as Hemospray and Endoclot show promise in creating mechanical tamponades but have limitations.Currently,the first-line therapy includes thermal probes and hemoclips,with over-the-scope clips emerging for larger ulcer bleeding.The gold probe,combining bipolar electrocoagulation and injection,offers targeted coagulation but has faced device-related issues.Future advancements involve combining techniques and improving endoscopic imaging,with studies exploring combined approaches showing promise.Ongoing research is crucial for developing standardized and effective hemorrhage management strategies.

Comparative Analysis of Continuous versus Intermittent Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Ulcers

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) presents as a prevalent clinical challenge, with annual incidence rates ranging from 80 to 150 cases per 100,000 individuals. Guidelines for managing patients with UGIB due to bleeding ulcers recommend a continuous infusion of proton pump inhibitors (PPI). However, studies comparing intermittent dosing of PPI therapy show that this regimen achieves similar clinical benefits. If the clinical efficacy remains equivalent, intermittent dosing will be more cost-effective for patients and the health care system. Our research study aims to analyze the comparative effectiveness of intermittent versus continuous PPI therapy after endoscopic treatment in patients with UGIB, focusing on such endpoints as rebleeding risk at 3-and 7-day mortality rates. Methods: Resources searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from January 2010 through December 2023 with the inclusion of meta-analysis, systematic review, review, or ACG guideline recommendations. Results of the analysis show how recommendations regarding high vs. low PPI regimen changed over time: from no difference in regimen in 2010 to recommending continuous regimen in 2012 to declaring insufficient evidence between choosing one regimen over another in 2013 to determine that both regimens were comparable to each other in 2014-2018 and finally to recommending both regimens in 2021. To conclude, our review shows that in patients with bleeding ulcers and high-risk endoscopic findings, intermittent PPI therapy is non-inferior to continuous PPI infusion for three days, seven days bleeding risk or mortality rates;however, it remains challenging to determine the most optimal intermittent regimen due to heterogeneity of RCTs included in meta-analyses, and further trials will need to be performed.

MH-STRALP:A scoring system for prognostication in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB)is a common medical emergency and early assessment of its outcomes is vital for treatment decisions.AIM To develop a new scoring system to predict its prognosis.METHODS In this retrospective study,692 patients with UGIB were enrolled from two cen-ters and divided into a training(n=591)and a validation cohort(n=101).The clinical data were collected to develop new prognostic prediction models.The en-dpoint was compound outcome defined as(1)demand for emergency surgery or vascular intervention,(2)being transferred to the intensive care unit,or(3)death during hos-pitalization.The models’predictive ability was compared with previously esta-blished scores by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS Totally 22.2%(131/591)patients in the training cohort and 22.8%(23/101)in the validation cohort presented poor outcomes.Based on the stepwise-forward Lo-gistic regression analysis,eight predictors were integrated to determine a new post-endoscopic prognostic scoring system(MH-STRALP);a nomogram was de-termined to present the model.Compared with the previous scores(GBS,Rock-all,ABC,AIMS65,and PNED score),MH-STRALP showed the best prognostic prediction ability with area under the ROC curves(AUROCs)of 0.899 and 0.826 in the training and validation cohorts,respectively.According to the calibration cur-ve,decision curve analysis,and internal cross-validation,the nomogram showed good calibration ability and net clinical benefit in both cohorts.After removing the endoscopic indicators,the pre-endoscopic model(pre-MH-STRALP score)was conducted.Similarly,the pre-MHSTRALP score showed better predictive value(AUROCs of 0.868 and 0.767 in the training and validation cohorts,respectively)than the other pre-endoscopic scores.CONCLUSION The MH-STRALP score and pre-MH-STRALP score are simple,convenient,and accurate tools for prognosis prediction of UGIB,and may be applied for early decision on its management strategies.

Clinical characteristics of acute non-varicose upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the effect of endoscopic hemostasis

BACKGROUND Acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(ANVUGIB)constitutes a prevalent emergency within Gastroenterology,encompassing 80%-90%of all gastrointestinal hemorrhage incidents.This condition is distinguished by its abrupt onset,swift progression,and notably elevated mortality rate.AIM To gather clinical data from patients with ANVUGIB at our hospital in order to elucidate the clinical characteristics specific to our institution and analyze the therapeutic effectiveness of endoscopic hemostasis.METHODS We retrospectively retrieved the records of 532 patients diagnosed with ANVUGIB by endoscopy at our hospital between March 2021 and March 2023,utilizing our medical record system.Data pertaining to general patient information,etiological factors,disease outcomes,and other relevant variables were meticulously collected and analyzed.RESULTS Among the 532 patients diagnosed with ANVUGIB,the male-to-female ratio was 2.91:1,with a higher prevalence among males.Notably,43.6%of patients presented with black stool as their primary complaint,while 27.4%had hematemesis as their initial symptom.Upon admission,17%of patients exhibited both hematemesis and black stool,while most ANVUGIB patients primarily complained of overt gastrointestinal bleeding.Urgent routine blood examinations at admission revealed that 75.8%of patients had anemia,with 63.4%experiencing moderate to severe anemia,and 1.5%having extremely severe anemia(hemoglobin<30 g/L).With regard to etiology,53.2%of patients experienced bleeding without a definitive trigger,24.2%had a history of using gastric mucosa-irritating medications,24.2%developed bleeding after alcohol consumption,2.8%attributed it to improper diet,1.7%to emotional excitement,and 2.3%to fatigue preceding the bleeding episode.Drug-induced ANVUGIB was more prevalent in the elderly than middle-aged and young individuals,while bleeding due to alcohol consumption showed the opposite trend.Additionally,diet-related bleeding was more common among the young age group compared to the middle-aged group.Gastrointestinal endoscopy identified peptic ulcers as the most frequent cause of ANVUGIB(73.3%),followed by gastrointestinal malignancies(10.9%),acute gastric mucous lesions(9.8%),and androgenic upper gastrointestinal bleeding(1.5%)among inpatients with ANVUGIB.Of the 532 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding,68 underwent endoscopic hemostasis,resulting in an endoscopic treatment rate of 12.8%,with a high immediate hemostasis success rate of 94.1%.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Bangladeshi children:Analysis of 100 cases

BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB)is defined as bleeding that occurs proximal to the ligament of Treitz and can sometimes lead to potentially serious and life-threatening clinical situations in children.Globally,the cause of UGIB differs significantly depending on the geographic location,patient population and presence of comorbid conditions.AIM To observe endoscopic findings of UGIB in children at a tertiary care center of Bangladesh.METHODS This retrospective study was carried out in the department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition of Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University,a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh,between January 2017 and January 2019.Data collected from hospital records of 100 children who were 16 years of age or younger,came with hematemesis,melena or both hematemesis and melena.All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy(Olympus CV 1000 upper gastrointestinal video endoscope)after initial stabilization.Necessary investigations to diagnose portal hypertension and chronic liver disease with underlying causes for management purposes were also done.RESULTS A total of 100 patients were studied.UGIB was common in the age group 5-10 years(42%),followed by above 10 years(37%).Hematemesis was the most common presenting symptom(75%)followed by both hematemesis and melena(25%).UGIB from ruptured esophageal varices was the most common cause(65%)on UGI endoscopy followed by gastric erosion(5%)and prolapsed gastropathy(2%).We observed that 23%of children were normal after endoscopic examination.CONCLUSION Ruptured esophageal varices were the most common cause of UGIB in children in Bangladesh.Other causes included gastric erosions and prolapsed gastropathy syndrome.

Nomogram to predict gas-related complications during transoral endoscopic resection of upper gastrointestinal submucosal lesions:Clinical significance

Transoral endoscopic resections in treating upper gastrointestinal submucosal lesions have the advantages of maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal lumen,avoiding perforation and reducing gastrointestinal fistulae.They are becoming more widely used in clinical practice,but,they may also present a variety of complications.Gas-related complications are one of the most common,which can be left untreated if the symptoms are mild,but in severe cases,they can lead to rapid changes in the respiratory and circulatory systems in a short period,which can be life-threatening.Therefore,it is important to predict the occurrence of gas-related complications early and take preventive measures actively.Based on the authors'results in the prepublication of the article“Nomogram to predict gas-related complications during transoral endoscopic resection of upper gastrointestinal submucosal lesions,”and in conjunction with our evaluation and additions to the relevant content,radiographs may help screen patients at high risk for gas-related complications.Controlling blood glucose levels,shortening the duration of surgery,and choosing the most appropriate surgical resection may positively impact the prognosis of patients at high risk for gas-related complications during transoral endoscopic resection of upper gastrointestinal submucosal lesions.

Application Effect of Staged Health Education in the Nursing Care of Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Objective:To investigate the application effect of staged health education in the care of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Methods:This study takes health education in the care of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding as the main direction.160 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding who received treatment in our hospital were selected as samples,and the grouping software was used to divide them into the reference group and the study group,with 80 patients each.The reference group and the study group used routine health education and staged health education respectively.Relevant research data were recorded during the nursing process,analyzed,and used as research indicators.Results:The compliance behavior of the study group was higher than that of the reference group after the staged nursing care,and at the same time,the nursing care satisfaction of the study group was higher than that of the reference group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The use of staged health education for the care of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding not only enhances the degree of patient awareness and compliance but also improves nursing satisfaction,which is worthy of promotion and application.

Challenges in Diagnosing and Managing Dieulafoy’s Lesions: A Case Report Highlighting the Importance of Clinical Suspicion and Multidisciplinary Approach in Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains a significant cause of hospital admissions. Even though the incidence of peptic ulcer disease and gastritis is decreasing, the incidence rates in neoplasm, Dieulafoy’s lesions, angiodysplasia, and esophagitis are trending up, which necessities physicians to be aware of those pathologies and their specifics. Here, we represent a case of a 62-year-old male on dual antiplatelet therapy who was transferred to our hospital due to severe melena with suspicion of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to hemodynamic instability, the patient was intubated and started on vasopressors. However, several repeated EGDs and CTs of the abdomen with GI bleeding protocol did not reveal the location of active bleeding to stop it. At the same time, clinically, the patient was hemodynamically unstable with continued melena. On the last EGD, a small area of concern resembling gastric varix was clipped for identification purposes, and the patient underwent a selective angiogram with further diagnosis of Dieulafoy’s lesion, which was successfully embolized. Our case demonstrates that Dieulafoy’s lesions can present as severe life-threatening hemorrhage, hard to diagnose with traditional methods such as EGD or CTs, in which case it is recommended to proceed with an angiogram sooner rather than later for further diagnosis and treatment if needed.

Nomogram to predict gas-related complications during transoral endoscopic resection of upper gastrointestinal submucosal lesions

BACKGROUND Gas-related complications present a potential risk during transoral endoscopic resection of upper gastrointestinal submucosal lesions.Therefore,the identification of risk factors associated with these complications is essential.AIM To develop a nomogram to predict risk of gas-related complications following transoral endoscopic resection of the upper gastrointestinal submucosal lesions.METHODS We collected patient data from the First Affiliated Hospital of the Army Medical University.Patients were randomly allocated to training and validation cohorts.Risk factors for gas-related complications were identified in the training cohort using univariate and multivariate analyses.We then constructed a nomogram and evaluated its predictive performance based on the area under the curve,decision curve analysis,and Hosmer-Lemeshow tests.RESULTS Gas-related complications developed in 39 of 353 patients who underwent transoral endoscopy at our institution.Diabetes,lesion origin,surgical resection method,and surgical duration were incorporated into the final nomogram.The predictive capability of the nomogram was excellent,with area under the curve values of 0.841 and 0.906 for the training and validation cohorts,respectively.CONCLUSION The ability of our four-variable nomogram to efficiently predict gas-related complications during transoral endoscopic resection enhanced postoperative assessments and surgical outcomes.

Rare causes of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A comprehensive review

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(NVUGIB)is a common gastroenterological emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality.Gastroenterologists and other involved clinicians are generally assisted by international guidelines in its management.However,NVUGIB due to peptic ulcer disease only is mainly addressed by current guidelines,with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy being recommended as the gold standard modality for both diagnosis and treatment.Conversely,the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB is not covered by current guidelines.Given they are frequently lifethreatening conditions,all the involved clinicians,that is emergency physicians,diagnostic and interventional radiologists,surgeons,in addition obviously to gastroenterologists,should be aware of and familiar with their management.Indeed,they typically require a prompt diagnosis and treatment,engaging a dedicated,patient-tailored,multidisciplinary team approach.The aim of our review was to extensively summarize the current evidence with regard to the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB.

Age-specific causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children

The etiology of upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB)varies by age,from newborns to adolescents,with some of the causes overlapping between age groups.While particular causes such as vitamin K deficiency and cow’s milk protein allergy are limited to specific age groups,occurring only in neonates and infants,others such as erosive esophagitis and gastritis may be identified at all ages.Furthermore,the incidence of UGIB is variable throughout the world and in different hospital settings.In North America and Europe,most UGIBs are nonvariceal,associated with erosive esophagitis,gastritis,and gastric and duodenal ulcers.In recent years,the most common causes in some Middle Eastern and Far Eastern countries are becoming similar to those in Western countries.However,variceal bleeding still predominates in certain parts of the world,especially in South Asia.The most severe hemorrhage arises from variceal bleeding,peptic ulceration,and disseminated intravascular coagulation.Hematemesis is a credible indicator of a UGI source of bleeding in the majority of patients.Being familiar with the most likely UGIB causes in specific ages and geographic areas is especially important for adequate orientation in clinical settings,the use of proper diagnostic tests, and rapid initiation of the therapy. The fundamental approach to the management of UGIBincludes an immediate assessment of severity, detecting possible causes, and providing hemodynamic stability,followed by early endoscopy. Unusual UGIB causes must always be considered when establishing a diagnosis inthe pediatric population because some of them are unique to children. Endoscopic techniques are of significantdiagnostic value, and combined with medicaments, may be used for the management of acute bleeding. Finally,surgical treatment is reserved for the most severe bleeding.

A Nomogram Model for Prediction of Mortality Risk of Patients with Dangerous Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding:A Two-center Retrospective Study

Objective:This study aimed to establish a nomogram model to predict the mortality risk of patients with dangerous upper gastrointestinal bleeding(DUGIB),and identify high-risk patients who require emergent therapy.Methods:From January 2020 to April 2022,the clinical data of 256 DUGIB patients who received treatments in the intensive care unit(ICU)were retrospectively collected from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University(n=179)and the Eastern Campus of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University(n=77).The 179 patients were treated as the training cohort,and 77 patients as the validation cohort.Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the independent risk factors,and R packages were used to construct the nomogram model.The prediction accuracy and identification ability were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,C index and calibration curve.The nomogram model was also simultaneously externally validated.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was then used to demonstrate the clinical value of the model.Results:Logistic regression analysis showed that hematemesis,urea nitrogen level,emergency endoscopy,AIMS65,Glasgow Blatchford score and Rockall score were all independent risk factors for DUGIB.The ROC curve analysis indicated the area under curve(AUC)of the training cohort was 0.980(95%CI:0.962-0.997),while the AUC of the validation cohort was 0.790(95%CI:0.685-0.895).The calibration curves were tested for Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit for both training and validation cohorts(P=0.778,P=0.516).Conclusion:The developed nomogram is an effective tool for risk stratification,early identification and intervention for DUGIB patients.

The effect of prophylactic antibiotics in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding patients in the emergency department

BACKGROUND: Currently, prophylactic antibiotics are recommended only for cirrhotic patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding(AUGIB);however, the benefit for other AUGIB patients remains undetermined. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between patients with AUGIB with and without prophylactic antibiotics to identify the population that requires this therapy.METHODS: Patients with AUGIB admitted between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2021 in the Emergency Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into the antibiotic and non-antibiotic groups. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was the onset of new infection. The risk factors for mortality and infection were analyzed, and stratification analysis of prophylactic antibiotics was performed. Continuous data were analyzed using the t-test or nonparametric rank sum test, and categorical data were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Indicators with significant differences between the groups were included for logistic regression analysis. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 392 individuals were included, among them, 281 patients received prophylactic antibiotics, and 111 patients did not receive prophylactic antibiotics. The mortality rates were significantly lower in the antibiotic group than in the non-antibiotics group(6.41% vs. 17.12%, P=0.001). The risk factors for infection were varicose veins(P=0.045) and endotracheal intubation(P=0.005) in the prophylactic antibiotic group, and endoscopic treatment(P=0.010) in the non-prophylactic antibiotic group. Stratified analyses showed that patients with age ≥ 65 years, endotracheal intubation, endoscopic treatment, and AUGIB of variceal etiologies benefited from prophylactic antibiotics.CONCLUSION: AUGIB patients may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics to decrease mortality, especially those aged ≥ 65 years and those with endotracheal intubation, endoscopic treatment, and variceal etiologies.

A Case of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Liver Cirrhosis Complicated by Acute Cerebral Infarction and Acute Myelitis

Background: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhosis combined with acute cerebral infarction is uncommon in clinical work, and then combined with acute myelitis is even rarer and more complex, which poses a greater challenge to clinical diagnosis and treatment. This paper reports a case of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhosis complicated by acute cerebral infarction and acute myelitis, which be hoped to provide a reference for clinical work. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical information of a 68-year-old female admitted to the Digestive Medical Department with acute gastrointestinal bleeding and appeared limb movement disorder on the third day. Results: The patient was eventually diagnosed with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhosis complicated by acute cerebral infarction and acute myelitis. Conclusions: When patients with liver cirrhosis have abnormal neurological symptoms, in addition to liver cirrhosis-related complications, doctors need to consider cerebrovascular diseases and myelitis.

Cardiopulmonary prognosis of prophylactic endotracheal intubation in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding undergoing endoscopy

BACKGROUND:It is controversial whether prophylactic endotracheal intubation(PEI)protects the airway before endoscopy in critically ill patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB).The study aimed to explore the predictive value of PEI for cardiopulmonary outcomes and identify high-risk patients with UGIB undergoing endoscopy.METHODS:Patients undergoing endoscopy for UGIB were retrospectively enrolled in the eICU Collaborative Research Database(eICU-CRD).The composite cardiopulmonary outcomes included aspiration,pneumonia,pulmonary edema,shock or hypotension,cardiac arrest,myocardial infarction,and arrhythmia.The incidence of cardiopulmonary outcomes within 48 h after endoscopy was compared between the PEI and non-PEI groups.Logistic regression analyses and propensity score matching analyses were performed to estimate effects of PEI on cardiopulmonary outcomes.Moreover,restricted cubic spline plots were used to assess for any threshold effects in the association between baseline variables and risk of cardiopulmonary outcomes(yes/no)in the PEI group.RESULTS:A total of 946 patients were divided into the PEI group(108/946,11.4%)and the non-PEI group(838/946,88.6%).After propensity score matching,the PEI group(n=50)had a higher incidence of cardiopulmonary outcomes(58.0%vs.30.3%,P=0.001).PEI was a risk factor for cardiopulmonary outcomes after adjusting for confounders(odds ratio[OR]3.176,95%confidence interval[95%CI]1.567-6.438,P=0.001).The subgroup analysis indicated the similar results.A shock index>0.77 was a predictor for cardiopulmonary outcomes in patients undergoing PEI(P=0.015).The probability of cardiopulmonary outcomes in the PEI group depended on the Charlson Comorbidity Index(OR 1.465,95%CI 1.079-1.989,P=0.014)and shock index>0.77(compared with shock index≤0.77[OR 2.981,95%CI 1.186-7.492,P=0.020,AUC=0.764]).CONCLUSION:PEI may be associated with cardiopulmonary outcomes in elderly and critically ill patients with UGIB undergoing endoscopy.Furthermore,a shock index greater than 0.77 could be used as a predictor of a worse prognosis in patients undergoing PEI.

Relationships of hospitalization outcomes and timing to endoscopy in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding:A nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND The optimal timing of esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)and the impact of clinico-demographic factors on hospitalization outcomes in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(NVUGIB)remains an area of active research.AIM To identify independent predictors of outcomes in patients with NVUGIB,with a particular focus on EGD timing,anticoagulation(AC)status,and demographic features.METHODS A retrospective analysis of adult patients with NVUGIB from 2009 to 2014 was performed using validated ICD-9 codes from the National Inpatient Sample database.Patients were stratified by EGD timing relative to hospital admission(≤24 h,24-48 h,48-72 h,and>72 h)and then by AC status(yes/no).The primary outcome was all-cause inpatient mortality.Secondary outcomes included healthcare usage.RESULTS Of the 1082516 patients admitted for NVUGIB,553186(51.1%)underwent EGD.The mean time to EGD was 52.8 h.Early(<24 h from admission)EGD was associated with significantly decreased mortality,less frequent intensive care unit admission,shorter length of hospital stays,lower hospital costs,and an increased likelihood of discharge to home(all with P<0.001).AC status was not associated with mortality among patients who underwent early EGD(aOR 0.88,P=0.193).Male sex(OR 1.30)and Hispanic(OR 1.10)or Asian(aOR 1.38)race were also independent predictors of adverse hospitalization outcomes in NVUGIB.CONCLUSION Based on this large,nationwide study,early EGD in NVUGIB is associated with lower mortality and decreased healthcare usage,irrespective of AC status.These findings may help guide clinical management and would benefit from prospective validation.

Orientation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy—the only way is up

BACKGROUND Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy is the gold standard investigation for the upper gastrointestinal(UGI)tract.Orientation during endoscopy is challenging and United Kingdom training focusses on technical competence and procedural safety.The reported location of UGI pathologies is crucial to post-endoscopic planning.AIM To evaluate endoscopists’ability to spatially orientate themselves within the UGI tract.METHODS A cross sectional descriptive study elicited,using an anonymised survey,the ability of endoscopists to orientate themselves within the UGI tract.The primary outcome was percentage of correct answers from all surveyed;secondary outcomes were percentage of correct answers from experienced vs novice endoscopists.Pearson’sχ2 test was applied to compare groups.RESULTS Of 188 respondents,86 were experienced endoscopists having completed over 1000 endoscopies.44.4%of respondents correctly identified the anterior stomach and 47.3%correctly identified the posterior of the second part of the duodenum(D2).Experienced endoscopists were significantly more likely than novice to identify the anterior stomach correctly[61.6%vs 31.3%,X2(1,n=188)=11.10,P=0.001].There was no significant difference between the two groups in identifying the posterior of D2.CONCLUSION The majority of endoscopists surveyed were unable to identify key landmarks within the UGI tract.Endoscopic orientation appears to improve with experience yet there are some areas still not well recognised.This has potential considerable impact on post-endoscopic management of patients with posterior duodenal ulcers being more likely to perforate and associated with a higher rebleeding risk.We suggest the development of a consensus statement on endoscopic description.

Promising way to address massive intragastric clotting in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding:A case report

BACKGROUND Massive intragastric clotting(MIC) makes endoscopic therapy difficult in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Literature data on how to address this problem are limited. Here, we report on a case of massive stomach bleeding with MIC that was successfully treated endoscopically using an overtube of singleballoon enteroscopy.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old gentleman with metastatic lung cancer was admitted to the intensive care unit due to tarry stools and hematemesis of 1500 mL of blood during hospitalization. Emergent esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed massive blood clots and fresh blood in the stomach with evidence of active bleeding.Bleeding sites could not be observed even by changing the patient’s position and aggressive endoscope suction. The MIC was successfully removed using an overtube connected with a suction pipe, which was inserted into the stomach with an overtube of a single-balloon enteroscope. An ultrathin gastroscope was also introduced through the nose into the stomach to guide the suction. A massive blood clot was successfully removed, and an ulcer with oozing bleeding at the inferior lesser curvature of the upper gastric body was revealed, facilitating endoscopic hemostatic therapy.CONCLUSION This technique appears to be a previously unreported method to suction MIC out of the stomach in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This technique could be considered when other methods are not available or if they fail to remove massive blood clots in the stomach.

Prognostic value of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 expression in upper gastrointestinal tract tumors:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND There is a lack of robust prognostic markers for upper gastrointestinal(GI)tract cancers,including esophageal,gastric,and esophagogastric junction cancers.T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3(TIM3)plays a key immunomodulatory role and is linked to the prognosis of various cancers.However,the significance of TIM3 in upper GI tract tumors is still uncertain.AIM To investigate the prognostic value of TIM3 expression in upper GI tract tumors.METHODS A literature search was conducted on the PubMed,Embase,and Web of Science databases for relevant studies published until June 2023.After screening and quality assessment,studies that met the criteria were included in the metaanalysis.Statistical methods were used for the pooled analysis to assess the association of TIM3 expression in upper GI tract tumors with the prognosis and clinicopathological parameters.The results were reported with the hazard ratio(HR)and 95%confidence interval(CI).RESULTS Nine studies involving 2556 patients with upper GI tract cancer were included.High TIM3 expression was associated with a worse prognosis in upper GI tract cancer(HR:1.17,95%CI:1.01-1.36).Positive expression of TIM3 in gastric cancer was correlated with the T and N stage,but the difference was not statistically significant.However,TIM3 overexpression was significantly correlated with the TNM stage(odds ratio:1.21,95%CI:0.63-2.33;P<0.05).TIM3 expression showed no association with the other clinicopathological parameters.CONCLUSION High expression of TIM3 in the upper GI tract cancer is associated with a worse prognosis and advanced T or N stages,indicating its potential value as a prognostic biomarker.These findings may provide a basis for the personalized treatment of upper GI tract cancers.

Emergency exploratory laparotomy and radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer combined with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide and ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality.Upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB)is a frequent complication of GC.Radical gastrectomy and palliative therapy are widely used surgical procedures in the clinical management of GC.This study intends to probe the clinical efficacy and safety of radical gastrectomy and palliative therapy on the basis of exploratory laparotomy in patients with GC combined with UGIB,hoping to provide valuable information to aid patients in selecting the appropriate surgical intervention.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of exploratory laparotomy^(+)radical gastrectomy and palliative therapy in patients with GC and UGIB combined.METHODS A total of 89 GC patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China between July 2018 and July 2020 were selected as participants for this study.The 89 patients were divided into two groups:radical resection group(n=46)treated with exploratory laparotomy^(+)radical gastrectomy and Palliative group(n=43)treated with palliative therapy.The study compared several variables between the two groups,including surgical duration,intraoperative blood transfusion volume,postoperative anal exhaust time,off-bed activity time,length of hospitalization,and incidence of complications such as duodenal stump rupture,anastomotic obstruction,and postoperative incision.Additionally,postoperative immune function indicators(including CD3^(+),CD4^(+),CD8^(+),CD4^(+)/CD8^(+),and CD3^(+)/HLADR^(+)),immunoglobulin(IgG and IgM),tumor markers(CEA,CA199,and CA125),and inflammatory factors(IL-6,IL-17,and TNF-α)were assessed.The surgical efficacy and postoperative quality of life recovery were also evaluated.The patients were monitored for survival and tumor recurrence at 6 mo,1 year,and 2 years post-surgery.RESULTS The results indicated that the duration of operation time and postoperative hospitalization did not differ between the two surgical procedures.However,patients in the radical resection group exhibited shorter intraoperative blood loss,anus exhaust time,off-bed activity time,and inpatient activity time than those in the Palliative group.Although there was no substantial difference in the occurrence of postoperative complications,such as duodenal stump rupture and anastomotic obstruction,between the radical resection group and Palliative group(P>0.05),the radical resection group exhibited higher postoperative immune function indicators(including CD3^(+),CD4^(+),CD8^(+),etc.)and immunoglobulin levels(IgG,IgM)than the Palliative group,while tumor markers and inflammatory factors levels were lower than those in the radical resection group.Additionally,surgical efficacy,postoperative quality of life,and postoperative survival rates were higher in patients who underwent radical gastrectomy than in those who underwent palliative therapy.Moreover,the probability of postoperative tumor recurrence was lower in the radical gastrectomy group compared to the palliative therapy group,and these differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Compared to palliative therapy,exploratory laparotomy^(+)radical gastrectomy can improve immune function,reduce the levels of tumor markers and inflammatory factors,improve surgical efficacy,promote postoperative quality of life recovery,enhance survival rates,and attenuate the probability of tumor recurrence.