Endoscopic Management of Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

ABSTRACT

Acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency with associated morbidity and mortality. Patients with significant bleeding should be started on proton pump inhibitor infusion. Upper endoscopy after adequate resuscitation is required for most patients and should be performed within 24 hours of presentation. Endoscopic hemostasis is less invasive and is the preferred method for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in most circumstances. Different methods of endoscopic interventions include injection therapy, thermal coagulation, or mechanical therapy. Endoscopic management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been shown to improve clinical outcomes, with significant reduction of recurrent bleeding, need of surgery, and mortality. Recently, newly developed endoscopic apparatuses have been used for hemostasis with greater safety and efficiency.