Melena

Abstract: Background and study aim Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been reported to be associated with a higher complication rate than standard endoscopic mucosal resection. We aimed to clarify the risk factors for delayed bleeding after ESD for early gastric cancer (EGC). Methods 1083 EGCs in 968 consecutive patients undergoing ESD during a 4-year period were reviewed. Post-ESD coagulation (PEC) preventive therapy of visible vessels in the resection area, using a coagulation forceps, was introduced and mostly performed during the later 2 years. Various factors related to patients, tumors, and treatment including PEC were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis with regard to delayed post-ESD bleeding, evidenced by hematemesis or melena, that required endoscopic treatment. Results Delayed bleeding occurred after ESD of 63 lesions (5.8 % of all lesions and 6.5 % of patients), controlled in all cases by endoscopic hemostasis; blood transfusion was required in only one case. Tumor location in the upper third of the stomach and PEC were independent factors indicating a lower rate of delayed bleeding according to both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions This retrospective study suggested that preventive coagulation of visible vessels in the resection area after ESD may lead to a lower bleeding rate.

Abstract: Background: Although joint use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral anticoagulants may increase the risk of gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage in elderly persons, no epidemiologic studies have been performed to quantify this risk. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of Tennessee Medicaid enrollees aged 65 years or older from 1984 through 1986. A total of 103 954 individuals contributed 209 066 person-years of follow-up, including 2203 person-years of current oral anticoagulant use, to the study. Results: Of the cohort members, 1371 had confirmed hospitalizations for peptic ulcer disease. Of these, 661 (48%) presented with frank hematemesis or melena and thus met the definition for hemorrhagic peptic ulcer disease. Among current users of oral anticoagulants, the adjusted incidence of hospitalization for peptic ulcer disease was 14.3 per 1000 person-years, and the adjusted incidence of hospitalization for hemorrhagic peptic ulcer disease was 10.2 per 1000 person-years. Compared with nonusers, current anticoagulant users were at increased risk for hospitalization for ulcer disease (relative risk, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 3.1), primarily due to the increased risk of hospitalization for hemorrhagic ulcers (relative risk, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 4.9). Compared with nonusers of either drug, the relative risk of hemorrhagic peptic ulcer disease among current users of both anticoagulants and NSAIDs was 12.7 (95% confidence interval, 6.3 to 25.7). However, the prevalence of NSAID use among anticoagulant users was 13.5%, the same as in those who were not using anticoagulants. Conclusions: The nearly 13-fold increase in the risk of developing hemorrhagic peptic ulcer disease in concurrent users of oral anticoagulants and NSAIDs suggests that NSAIDs should be prescribed with extreme caution in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy. (Arch Intern Med. 1993;153:1665-1670)

Abstract: Acute esophageal necrosis, which presents as a black esophagus on endoscopy, is a rare disorder that is poorly described in the medical literature. In this study, we analyze all cases reported to date to define risk factors, clinical presentation, endoscopic features, histologic appearance, treatment, complications, outcome and etiopathogenesis of the disease and to describe a distinct medical syndrome and propose a staging system. We searched Medline and PubMed from January 1965 to February 2006 for English-language articles using the key words “acute esophageal necrosis,” “necrotizing esophagitis,” and “black esophagus.” A total of 88 patients were reported in the literature during the 40 years, 70 men and 16 women with an average age of 67 years. Patients were generally admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular event/shock. Patients presented with hematemesis and melena in more than 70% of the cases. Upper endoscopy showed black, diffusely necrotic esophageal mucosa predominantly affecting the distal third of the organ. Necrosis was confirmed histologically in most cases. Complications included strictures or stenoses, mediastinitis/abscesses, and perforations. Overall mortality was 31.8%. This study provides a structured approach to identifying risk factors, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of the acute esophageal necrosis. Risk factors include age, male sex, cardiovascular disease, hemodynamic compromise, gastric outlet obstruction, alcohol ingestion, malnutrition, diabetes, renal insufficiency, hypoxemia, hypercoagulable state, and trauma. Mechanism of damage is usually multifactorial secondary to ischemic compromise, acute gastric outlet obstruction, and malnutrition. Overall, acute esophageal necrosis should be viewed as a poor prognostic factor, associated with high mortality from the underlying clinical disease.