Template:UGIB evaluation
Revision as of 20:40, 29 September 2019 by ClaireLewis (talk | contribs)
Workup
- 2 large bore IVs
- Type and cross
- CBC & serial hemoglobin
- Chemistry
- BUN/creatinine >30 suggests UGI if no history of renal failure (increased absorption/digestion of hb)
- Coags
- LFTs
- Fibrinogen
- Guiac
- More useful for diagnosing chronic occult bleeding (it could be positive for up to 2 weeks after an acute bleed)
- False-positive: vitamin C, red meat, methylene blue, bromide preparations, turnips, horseradish
- ECG (if >40 yo or if suspicious for silent MI, especially from demand ischemia)
- CXR (if suspect perforation)
NG Lavage Controversy
- Pros[1]
- Positive aspirate proves strong evidence for an upper GI source of bleeding
- Can assess presence of ongoing active bleeding
- Can prepare patient for endoscopy
- Cons[1]
- Uncomfortable
- Negative aspirate does not conclusively exclude upper GI source
- Provides useful information in only minority of patients without hematemesis
- Erythromycin 200mg IV can provide equal endoscopy conditions as lavage[2]