Vitreous rebleeding rate after vitrectomy or phacovitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The most common complication after vitrectomy is the rebleeding in vitreous cavity. It is important to detect the different factors that can increase the vitreous rebleeding rate in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a retrospective review of the rate of vitreous rebleeding after vitrectomy or phacovitrectomy. METHOD: Retrospective, descriptive and comparative study of patients with a diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy with phacovitrectomy or vitrectomy procedure. Personal background data, type of surgical intervention and grade of the surgeon who carried out the procedure were obtained. RESULTS: 1227 files of diabetic patients with vitrectomy or phacovitrectomy were reviewed. 65% presented systemic arterial hypertension. The average glomerular filtration rate was 63.50 (±32.36) ml/min/1.73 m2 and glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C) of 8% (4.6 to 15%). In the comparison of variables, a significant difference in the rate of vitreous rebleeding was obtained comparing phacovitrectomy with vitrectomy. (p = 0.003), in the relationship between vitrectomy with vitreous rebleeding, an odds ratio of 1.44 was obtained. CONCLUSION: The results obtained show a lower rate of rebleeding in patients undergoing phacovitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Riesgo de resangrado en hemorragia digestiva alta según la escala de Glasgow-Blatchford: herramienta de triaje / Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage re-bleeding risk according to the Glasgow-Blatchford scale: a triage tool

Resumen Introducción: Con la escala de Glasgow-Blatchford (EG-B) se califica mediante datos clínicos, el riesgo de resangrado después de hemorragia del tubo digestivo alto (HTDA); y con las escalas de Forrest y Dagradi, mediante endoscopia. Objetivo: Evaluar la capacidad de la EG-B para identificar riesgo de resangrado a 30 días después de una HTDA; el estándar de oro de comparación fue la endoscopia. Método: Se analizaron 129 expedientes de pacientes con HTDA y endoscopia. Se cuantificaron las escalas de Glasgow-Blatchford, Forrest y Dagradi; se calculó sensibilidad, especificidad y área bajo la curva ROC (ABC-ROC) del riesgo de resangrado reportado por EG-B. Resultados: La EG-B identificó a 53 pacientes con riesgo bajo de resangrado (41.09 %) y 76 con riesgo alto (58.91 %). Con la endoscopia se identificó a 107 pacientes con hemorragia no variceal (82.94 %), 98 con riesgo bajo (89.9 %) y 11 con riesgo alto (10.09 %); además, 22 pacientes con hemorragia variceal (17.05 %), 12 con riesgo bajo (54.54 %) y 10 con riesgo alto (45.45 %). La EG-B mostró sensibilidad de 0.857, especificidad de 0.462 y ABC-ROC de 0.660. Conclusiones: La EG-B es sencilla, objetiva y útil para identificar riesgo de resangrado después de HTDA; se sugiere como herramienta de triaje en urgencias.

Abstract Introduction: The Glasgow-Blatchford scale (GBS) classifies the risk of re-bleeding after upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) using clinical data, whereas the Forrest and Dagradi scales do it by endoscopy. Objective: To assess GBS’s ability to identify re-bleeding risk within 30 days of an UGIB, using endoscopy as the gold standard for comparison. Method: 129 medical records of patients with UGIB and endoscopy were analyzed. The Glasgow-Blatchford, Forrest and Dagradi scales were quantified; sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) of GBS-reported re-bleeding risk were calculated. Results: GBS identified 53 patients with low re-bleeding risk (41.09 %) and 76 with high risk (58.91 %). Endoscopy identified 107 patients with non-variceal bleeding (82.94 %): 98 with low risk (89.9 %) and 11 with high risk (10.09 %); in addition, it identified 22 patients with variceal hemorrhage (17.05 %): 12 with low risk (54.54 %) and 10 with high risk (45.45 %). GBS showed a sensitivity of 0.857, specificity of 0.462 and an AUC-ROC of 0.660. Conclusions: GBS is simple, objective and useful to identify the risk of re-bleeding after UGIB; it is suggested as a triage tool in the emergency department.

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage re-bleeding risk according to the Glasgow-Blatchford scale: a triage tool.

INTRODUCTION: The Glasgow-Blatchford scale (GBS) classifies the risk of re-bleeding after upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) using clinical data, whereas the Forrest and Dagradi scales do it by endoscopy. OBJECTIVE: To assess GBS's ability to identify re-bleeding risk within 30 days of an UGIB, using endoscopy as the gold standard for comparison. METHOD: 129 medical records of patients with UGIB and endoscopy were analyzed. The Glasgow-Blatchford, Forrest and Dagradi scales were quantified; sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) of GBS-reported re-bleeding risk were calculated. RESULTS: GBS identified 53 patients with low re-bleeding risk (41.09 %) and 76 with high risk (58.91 %). Endoscopy identified 107 patients with non-variceal bleeding (82.94 %): 98 with low risk (89.9 %) and 11 with high risk (10.09 %); in addition, it identified 22 patients with variceal hemorrhage (17.05 %): 12 with low risk (54.54 %) and 10 with high risk (45.45 %). GBS showed a sensitivity of 0.857, specificity of 0.462 and an AUC-ROC of 0.660. CONCLUSIONS: GBS is simple, objective and useful to identify the risk of re-bleeding after UGIB; it is suggested as a triage tool in the emergency department. INTRODUCCIÓN: Con la escala de Glasgow-Blatchford (EG-B) se califica mediante datos clínicos, el riesgo de resangrado después de hemorragia del tubo digestivo alto (HTDA); y con las escalas de Forrest y Dagradi, mediante endoscopia. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la capacidad de la EG-B para identificar riesgo de resangrado a 30 días después de una HTDA; el estándar de oro de comparación fue la endoscopia. MÉTODO: Se analizaron 129 expedientes de pacientes con HTDA y endoscopia. Se cuantificaron las escalas de Glasgow-Blatchford, Forrest y Dagradi; se calculó sensibilidad, especificidad y área bajo la curva ROC (ABC-ROC) del riesgo de resangrado reportado por EG-B. RESULTADOS: La EG-B identificó a 53 pacientes con riesgo bajo de resangrado (41.09 %) y 76 con riesgo alto (58.91 %). Con la endoscopia se identificó a 107 pacientes con hemorragia no variceal (82.94 %), 98 con riesgo bajo (89.9 %) y 11 con riesgo alto (10.09 %); además, 22 pacientes con hemorragia variceal (17.05 %), 12 con riesgo bajo (54.54 %) y 10 con riesgo alto (45.45 %). La EG-B mostró sensibilidad de 0.857, especificidad de 0.462 y ABC-ROC de 0.660. CONCLUSIONES: La EG-B es sencilla, objetiva y útil para identificar riesgo de resangrado después de HTDA; se sugiere como herramienta de triaje en urgencias.

Predictores de recurrencia de sangrado en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva alta no variceal / Predictors of bleending recurrence in patients with non-varicose upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Introducción: La tasa de resangrado en hemorragia digestiva alta no variceal continúa siendo elevada. Objetivo: identificar los predictores de falla terapéutica endoscópica en adultos con hemorragia digestiva alta recurrente no variceal atendidos en el Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo entre enero, 2006 y diciembre, 2010 que ameritaron una segunda endoscopia. Materiales y Métodos: estudio retrospectivo y transversal. La muestra fue dividida en grupo A (resangró) y B (no resangró). Resultados: del total de 380 casos que recibieron terapia inicial, 271 úlceras (71,3% p<0,0001) representaron el tipo de lesión más frecuente, correspondiendo con los 24 casos que resangraron (6,31%). Las lesiones que resangraron se ubicaron en segunda porción de duodeno (20,8%), fundus gástrico (16,6%) y cara posterior de bulbo duodenal (12,5%). De éstas, 11 fueron úlceras (54,5% duodenales vs 45,4% gástricas), tipo Forrest IA, IB y IIA (p<0,03), con vaso expuesto >2mm (media 5mm, DE±3mm). Conclusión: los predictores de falla terapéutica endoscópica (úlcera ≥2cms, ubicación en cara posterior de bulbo duodenal, Forrest IA, IB y IIA, y terapia endoscópica aplicada durante el primer episodio de sangrado) contribuyen de manera independiente al aumento del riesgo del resangrado.

Introduction: Rebleeding’s rate in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains high. Aim: Identify predictors of endoscopic therapy failure in adult patients with recurrent non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding treated at the Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo between January, 2006 and December, 2010 that required a second endoscopy. Methods: a retrospective and cross sectional study. The sample was divided into Group A (with rebleeding) and Group B (without rebleeding). Results: of the 380 cases who received therapy during the first endoscopy, 271 ulcers (71,3% p <0,0001) represented the most frequent type of injury, being consistent with the 24 cases that rebleed (6,31%). Rebleeding lesions were located in second portion of duodenum (20,8%), gastric fundus (16,6%) and posterior duodenal bulb (12,5%). Meanwhile, the rebleeding ulcers (n=11), were duodenal 54,5% vs gastric 45,4%, classified as Forrest IA, IB and IIA (p <0,03), with exposed vessel >2mm. Conclusions: the predictors of endoscopic therapy failure in our location are similar to those established (ulcer size ≥2cms, placed on posterior duodenal bulb, Forrest IA, IB and IIA, and endoscopic therapy applied during the first episode) and contribute independently to increased risk of rebleeding despite applying the recommended therapeutic.

Hemorragia digestiva alta varicosa em hospital de emergência e, Recife - PE / Varicel upper gastrointestinal bleeding in emergency hospital in Recife - PE

A hemorragia digestiva alta varicosa (HDAV) é a mais grave complicação da hipertensão portal, com alta taxa de ressangramento e mortalidade. Em Pernambuco, devido à endemicidade da esquistossomose mansônica, há uma elevada frequência deste tipo de sangramento. Objetivos: avaliar a doença hepática de base de pacientes portadores de varizes esofagogástricas (VVEEGG) com HDA, além do seguimento quanto à orientação após alta hospitalar da emergência, taxa de ressangramento e óbito em hospital de emergência. Pacientes e métodos: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, tipo série de casos, em pacientes com VVEEGG atendidos no setor de endoscopia digestiva do Hospital da Restauração em Recife, referência no estado em hemorragia digestiva, de outubro de 2008 a outubro de 2009. Foram coletados dados sobre antecedentes pessoais, aspectos demográficos e clínicos e realizado exame endoscópico para avaliação do sítio de sangramento e propedêutica para controle da hemorragia se necessário. Resultados: foram analisados 178 pacientes portadores de VVEEGG com HDA. A média de idade foi 53,9 anos, sendo 115 (64,6%) do sexo masculino. A faixa etária mais frequente foi de 50 a 59 anos (31,5%) e 67 (37,7%) eram naturais de Zona da Mata. Ao exame físico, 58 (32,6%) pacientes apresentavam ascite. Foi evidenciado que 177 pacientes tinham varizes esofágicas (VVEE) e 78 tinham varizes gástricas. Quanto aos exames solicitados para caracterizar a doença de base, evidenciou-se um valor médio de albumina de 2,8 g/dl, de bilirrubina total 2,2 mg/dl e de INR 1,4. A doença hepática crônica (DHC) foi definida pelo ultrassom (USG) em cirrose (38), esquistossomose (60) e doença mista (22). Após a alta hospitalar, 45/174 pacientes (25,9%) ficaram em uso de propranolol e 57/174 (32,8%) conseguiram acompanhamento em ambulatório especializado. Após 3 meses do episódio de HDA, foi constatado relato de ressangramento em 92/161 (57,1%) pacientes e óbito em 44/161 (27,3%). Houve relação de ressangramento com óbito (p<0,001), com presença de manchas vermelhas nas VVEE (p<0,001), diagnóstico de cirrose hepática e DHC mista pelo USG (p=0,023), presença de ascite (p=0,004) e a não utilização de propranolol (p=0,002). Observou-se a associação de óbito e faixa etária de 50 a 59 anos (p=0,016) e com aspecto hepático pelo USG (p=0,001), assim como da presença de fibrose periportal no USG com a naturalidade (p=0,031). Conclusão: neste estudo, observou-se predomínio de pacientes do sexo masculino e naturais da Zona da Mata. A maioria dos pacientes apresentava fibrose periportal ao USG, mostrando a endemicidade da esquistossomose no estado e houve uma elevada frequência de ressangramento e óbito.

Background: variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (VUGB) is the most serious complication of portal hypertension, with high rebleeding and mortality rates. In Pernambuco, where schistosomiasis mansoni is endemic, this type of bleeding occurs frequently. Aim: to evaluate the etiology of esophageal variceal bleeding, as well as the rebleeding and death rates. The study also followed up the patients after hospital discharge, rebleeding and death rates of the patients admitted in an Emergency Hospital. Patients and methods: this is a descriptive study about patients with gastric-esophageal varices and UGB assisted at the digestive endoscopy unit of Restauração hospital in Recife from October 2008 to October 2009. An application form was filled out with demographic data, personal history, clinical aspects and an endoscopy was performed to identify the area of the bleeding, as well as a propaedeutical endoscopy to control the bleeding, when necessary. Results: 178 patients with gastric esophageal varices and UGB were observed. The specific-age rate was 53.9 years old, with 115 (64.6%) males. The most frequent age group was from 50 to 59 years old (31.5%) and 67 (37.7%) were born from the Zona da Mata region. Physical examination revealed ascites in 58 (32.6%) patients. It was seen that 177 patients had esophageal and 78 gastric varices. The blood tests done after the endoscopy to identify the underlying disease showed approximately 2,8g/dl of albumin, total bilirrubin of 2.2mg/dl and INR 1.4. Hepatic chronic disease (HCD) was defined with an ultrasound in cirrhosis (38), schistosomiasis (60) and mixed disease (22). After hospital discharge, 45/174 patients (25.9%) were prescribed propranolol and 57/174 (32.8%) were granted ambulatory care. Three months after the UGB episode, 92/161 (57.1%) patients had rebleeding and 44/161 (27.3%) died. There was a connection between the rebleeding and the deaths (p<0.001), there was presence of red spots on the esophageal varices (p<0.001), diagnose of cirrhosis and mixed hepatic chronic disease by ultrasound (p=0.023), ascitis (p=0.004) and the absence of propranolol use (p=0.002). There was also a relation between death and age 50 to 59 years (p=0.016) and the hepatic aspect detected by ultrasound (p=0.001), as well the presence of periportal fibrosis in the USG with the birthplace (p=0.031). Conclusion: in this study, it was possible to observe that there were predominance of male and patients from the Zona da Mata region. Most of the patients presented periportal fibrosis in the ultrasound, reflecting the high endemicity of schistosomiasis in the state and elevated rebleeding and death rates were observed.

Hemorragia digestiva alta no variceal: ¿en quiénes no debemos retrasar la endoscopia? / Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: when endoscopy should not be delayed?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a frequent cause of hospital admissions and morbimortality. Endoscopy helps to identify the etiology, allows some treatment possibilities and provides prognostic information to predict the risk of rebleeding in these patients. The optimal timing for endoscopy is unclear and controversial due to the lack of prospective-randomized studies. Nowadays, we can use clinical and endoscopic scores (Blatchford and Rockall scores) that help to predict low and high risk patients for clinical intervention. In health centers that are not able to perform urgent endoscopy, these scores can determine which patients would benefit from an urgent endoscopy and determine low risk patients, who could be discharged with a deferred endoscopy. In general, several consensuses recommend the classification of the risks and perform endoscopy during the first 24 hours. In some cases, for example, hemodynamic unstable patients or with serious comorbidities, and those with active hematemesis or fresh bloody nasogastric tube, the recommendation is to perform the endoscopy during the first 12 hours of admission.

La hemorragia digestiva alta es una causa frecuente de hospitalización y de morbimortalidad. La endoscopia nos permite determinar la etiología, así como la posibilidad de realizar tratamiento y determinar el riesgo de resangrado del paciente. El tiempo adecuado y oportuno para realizar la endoscopia sigue siendo controversial, debido a la escasez de estudios prospectivos y randomizados. Se dispone hoy en día de scores clínicos y endoscópicos (Score de Blatchford y Rockall) que permiten estratificar a los pacientes en bajo y alto riesgo de intervención clínica. En centros en que no se dispone de endoscopia de urgencia, estos scores permiten determinar qué pacientes se beneficiarán con endoscopia precoz y, por sobretodo,permiten clasificar a pacientes de bajo riesgo, en que se podría en algunos casos indicar el alta, incluso con endoscopia diferida. En general, los distintos consensos recomiendan estratificar los riesgos mediante estos scores y realizar la endoscopia durante las primeras 24 h. En casos como pacientes hemodinámicamente inestables o con serias comorbilidades, y aquellos con hematemesis franca o sangrado activo por sonda nasogástrica, se recomienda realizar la endoscopia antes de las 12 h.

Consenso Baveno V: ¿Qué hay de nuevo en hipertensión portal? / Baveno V consensus workshop: what is new in portal hypertension?

In patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, variceal bleeding is a severe complication, and still a major cause of death. From 1986 to 2010 (Baveno V), several consensuses related to this topic have been carried out. The main purposes of these meetings were to develop clear definitions and therapeutic recommendations aimed at the standardization and increased ease of interpretation among different studies, to be homogeneous, which is essential for meta-analysis. This applies both to the definition of events related to variceal hemorrhage and therapeutic behaviour. In Baveno V some definitions were modified such as criteria for failure to control bleeding, and failure of secondary prophylaxis, while other definitions were validated. As in Baveno IV, the level of evidence (1 being the highest, 5 being the lowest) and the grades of recommendation (‘A’ the strongest, ‘D’ the weakest) were assessed according to the Oxford System. Particular emphasis was placed on management of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, especially on the Budd-Chiari syndrome and extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction. Areas requiring further study include mechanism in the development and progression of portal hypertension; the development of non-invasive techniques to identify patients with clinically significant portal hypertension; the assessment of the impact of the management of chronic liver disease in the development of this condition; the role of regular control of portal hypertension in the prevention of the development and progression of gastroesophageal varices. Finally more information about non-cirrhotic portal hypertension is needed, especially on the frequency, primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding, factors associated with treatment failure, progression and thrombosis recurrence.

La hipertensión portal (HP) constituye un alteración hemodinámica severa, responsable de las principales complicaciones de la cirrosis, entre las cuales está la hemorragia por várices gastroesofágicas. Desde el año 1986 y hasta el 2010 (Baveno V), se han efectuado diferentes reuniones de consensos, cuyos objetivos han sido estandarizar criterios, haciéndolos simples y reproducibles, de tal forma de homogeneizar los resultados de estudios clínicos y meta-análisis. Esto es válido tanto para la definición de eventos relacionados con hemorragia variceal, como de conductas terapéuticas. En Baveno V se han modificado algunas definiciones como los criterios de falla en el control de la hemorragia, y de falla en la profilaxis secundaria, mientra que otras se validaron. Al igual que en Baveno IV, se utilizó el Sistema Oxford, para representar el nivel de evidencia (1 el mayor; 5 el menor) y de recomendación (‘A’ la más fuerte y ‘D’ la de menor peso). Especial hincapié se ha hecho en el manejo de la HP de origen no cirrótica (Síndrome de Budd-Chiari y obstrucción de la vena porta extra-hepática). Finalmente, las áreas con desafíos en investigación clínica incluyen mecanismos en el desarrollo y progresión de la HP; empleo de medidas no invasivas para identificar pacientes con HP de significación; evaluación del impacto que tiene el manejo de la enfermedad hepática de base, en el desarrollo de esta complicación; el papel de la medición de la presión portal en la prevención del desarrollo y progresión de las várices gastroesofágicas. Finalmente, se recomienda realizar estudios prospectivos sobre prevalencia y evolución clínica de la HP no cirrótica y profilaxis primaria de la hemorragia variceal; identificación de la población de riesgo y de factores asociados con falla al tratamiento, progresión de la enfermedad y recurrencia.

Riesgo de resangrado y muerte en pacientes hospitalizados en el Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Jesús Yerena con el diagnostico de hemorragia digestiva superior no variceal, durante el período comprendido entre enero 2002 y agosto 2008 / Rebleeding and dearth risks in inpatients at Hospital Jesús Yerena Gastoenterology Service diagnosed with non-varicose upper disgestive hemorrahage between january 2002 and august 2008

La hemorragia digestiva superior es una de las causas más frecuentes de consulta y hospitalización en los hospitales generales y en los servicios de gastroenterología a nivel mundial. Existen criterios que permiten orientarnos hacia la evolución que puedan tener estos pacientes. Los criterios de Rockall, aplicados a pacientes con hemorragia digestiva superior no variceal y según las características clínicas-endoscópicos nos permiten predecir el riesgo de resangrado y muerte. Estadificar según criterios de Rockall el riesgo de resangrado y muerte en pacientes hospitalizados con diagnostico de Hemorragia Digestiva superior no variceal a la emergencia del hospital de Lídice, durante el período comprendido entre Enero 2002 y agosto 2008. Se realiza estudio retrospectivo de corte transversal con una muestra de 150 pacientes, recopilando los datos de las historias clínicas de pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de hemorragia digestiva superior no variceal a los cuales se les calculó según Rockall el riesgo de resangrado y muerte. Del total de 150 pacientes, presentaron riesgo bajo de muerte y resangrado 53 pacientes (8 resangraron y sólo 1 falleció por otra causa), riesgo intermedio 57 pacientes (14 resangraron y 2 fallecieron) y riesgo alto 40 pacientes (20 resangraron y 10 fallecieron). Nuestro trabajo confirma el valor de la escala de Rockall para determinar el riesgo de resangrado y muerte en pacientes con sangrado digestivo superior no variceal...

Upper digestive hemorrhage is one of the most frequent causes of worldwide consult and hospitalization in general hospitals and gastroenterology services as well. There are criteria allowing to being guided to the evolution that said patients could experience. Rockall criteria applied to patients with non-varicose upper digestive hemorrhage, and as per the clinical-endoscopic features, let us predict the rebleeding and death risks. According to Rockall criteria, staging the rebleeding and death risks in hospitalized patients diagnosed with non-varicose upper digestive hemorrhage at Hospital de Lidice’s ER between January 2002 and August 2008. A cross-sectioned retrospective study is carried out with a 150-patient sample, collecting clinical records data of hospitalized patients diagnosed with non-varicose upper digestive hemorrhage who were computed, according to Rockall, the rebleeding and death risks. Out of the total of 150 patients, 53 presented death and rebleeding risks (8 rebled and just 1 died due to other cause), 57 patients presented intermediate risk (14 rebled and 2 died), and patients showed high risk (20 rebled and 10 died). This research confirms the Rockall score’s value for determining the risk of rebleeding and death in patients diagnosed with non-varicose upper digestive bleeding...

Resangrado y mortalidad posterior a primer sangrado por varices esofagogastricas: Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo

El Sangrado por ruptura de varices esofagogástricas ocurre en el 25 al 30% de los pacientes con cirrosis y esta asociado a una alta tasa de morbimortalidad y altos costos hospitalarios. El 70% de los pacientes que sobreviven recurren en un periodo menor de 2 años. El Child Pugh, los signos rojos endoscópicos, la ingesta aguda de alcohol, sangrado activo durante la endoscopia y la edad entre otros son considerados factores de riesgo para resangrado. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia y características de los pacientes con resangrado y la mortalidad posterior al primer episodio del sangrado variceal durante el periodo 1998 - 2002. Metodología: se revisaron retrospectivamente 310 historias de pacientes con sangrado variceal y se seleccionaron 71 pacientes con un primer episodio de sangrado por varices esofagogástricas. Se utilizó una base de datos con información relacionadas a los antecedentes, características clínicas mediante el Child Pugh, características del sangrado, hallazgos endoscópicos, endoterapia, medicación recibida, evolución durante el primer año. Resultados: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue 55 - 87 años. En 9 (12.7%) se encontró abuso agudo de alcohol, el 80.3% (n = 57) se presentó con hematemesis, el 73.2% (n = 52) sangrado por varices esofágicas, 57.74% (n = 41) de los pacientes presentó sangrado activo durante la endoscopia y el 73% presentaba signos de color rojo sobre las varices. El 97.71% (n = 69) ingresó con enfermedad hepática crónica descompensada. El 91.54% de los pacientes recibió escleroterápia como medida hemostática inicial y en un 36.61% recibió somatostatina/octreótide en adición a ésta. Se encontró un 18.30% de resangrado y una mortalidad del 2.8% al año posterior al sangrado inicial. Conclusiones: El Child Pugh B y C, abuso agudo de alcohol, sangrado activo durante la endoscopia, presencia de signos rojos sobre las varices y el tamaño constituyen factores de riesgo de resangrado después de un primer episodio de sangrado variceal. La mortalidad general, temprana fue del 2.8%.

Bleeding due to the rupture of esophagogastric variceal veins occurs in 25 to 30% of patients with cirrhosis and is associated with a high morbimortality rate and high hospital costs. Seventy percent of the patients that survive have recurrences within a period of less than two years. The Child Pugh, the endoscopic red signs, the acute intake of alcohol, active bleeding during the endoscope and age, among others, are considered risk factors for rebleeding. Objective: Determine the frequency and characteristics of patients with rebleeding and mortality after the first varicose bleeding episode during the period from 1998 to 2002. Methodology: Three hundred and ten histories of patients with variceal bleeding were reviewed retrospectively and 71 patients were selected with a first episode of bleeding due to esophagogastric variceal bleeding. A data base was used with information related to background, clinical characteristics through the Child Pugh, bleeding characteristics, endoscopic findings, endotherapy, medication received, evolution during the first year. Results: The average age of the patients was 55 - 87 years. In 9 (12.7%), acute alcohol abuse was found, 80.3% (n = 57) presented hematemesis, 73.2% (n = 52) bled due to esophagogastric variceal veins, 57.4% (n = 41) of the patients presented active bleeding during the endoscope and 73% presented red-colored signs on the varicose veins. 97.71% (n = 69) were admitted with decompensated chronic hepatic disease. Ninety one point five four (91.54%) of the patients received schlerotherapy as an initial haemostatic measure and 35.61% received somatostatina/octreothide in addition to this. Eighteen point three zero (18.30%) were found with rebleeding and there was a mortality rate of 2.8% during the year after the initial bleeding. Conclusions: The Child Pugh B & C, acute alcohol abuse, active bleeding during the endoscope, presence of red signs on the varicose veins and the size are the risk factors for rebleeding after a first episode of variceal bleeding. The general early mortality was 2.8%.