Lower GI bleeding: epidemiology and management

Corticosteroids and risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill adults: Protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroids are frequently prescribed to critically ill patients. However, their use may increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, which is associated with morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, we aim to assess whether continued administration of corticosteroids for >24 hours increases the rate of GI bleeding in adult critically ill patients compared to placebo or no treatment.

METHODS/DESIGN

We will conduct a systematic review of randomized clinical trials with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. The participants will be adult (as defined in the included trials) critically ill patients. The intervention will be any corticosteroid administered systematically for >24 hours and the comparator will be placebo or no treatment. The primary outcome will be rate of clinically important GI bleeding. We will systematically search EMBASE, MEDLINE, Medline In-Process, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos and trial registries for relevant literature, as well as perform a hand search. We will follow the recommendations by the Cochrane Collaboration and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. The risk of systematic errors (bias) and random errors will be assessed and the overall quality of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

DISCUSSION

The risk of GI bleeding in adult critically ill patients treated with corticosteroids is unknown. Hence, there is need for a robust systematic review to assess this risk and provide clinicians with a clearer understanding of the strength and limitations of existing data.

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: predictive factors and clinical outcome for the patients who needed first-time mesenteric conventional angiography

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding who presented to the emergency department requiring initial conventional angiography. We report risk-stratified and mesenteric conventional angiography outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding between 2001 and 2012. We included all consecutive patients with clinical lower gastrointestinal bleeding with a requirement of further angiography and possible embolization. Patients who had prior interventions or surgery were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 88 patients (35 women, 53 men) with a median age of 71 years (range, 23-99 years) were included in the analysis. Conventional angiography was positive and endovascular treatment was intended in 35 patients. Once the source of bleeding was found angiographically, endovascular treatment had a technical success rate of 90.3% and clinical success rate of 71.4%. Overall early rebleeding rate (<30 days) was 14.8% and late rebleeding rate (>30 days) was 13.6%.

CONCLUSION

Identifying the source of lower gastrointestinal bleeding remains to be a clinical and angiographic challenge. Although we did not observe an association between mortality and clinical success, increased early rebleeding rates were associated with higher mortality rates.

Esophageal arteriovenous malformation, a rare cause of significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Case report and review of literature

Gastrointestinal (GI) arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a well-known source of bleeding with colon being the most common site, but they can also occur in rare locations like the esophagus which may present with life threatening bleeding. We report the case of a 51-year-old male with end stage renal disease (ESRD) presenting with hematemesis and acute on chronic anemia. Further investigation showed an esophageal AVM which is an unusual location and it was successfully treated with an endoscopic clip instead of argon plasma coagulation (APC) due to its challenging location and esophageal wall motion from breathing. The patient continued to be asymptomatic without any upper and lower GI bleeding during his 20 months follow up period after the endoscopic management. Review of literature showed only 10 cases of AVMs involving esophagus and the average age of presentation was 52 years with a male predominance. We also provide an overview of those cases in the discussion section below.

Animal Models of Diverticulosis: Review and Recommendations

Diverticulosis is a structural alteration of the colon tissue characterized by the development of pouch-like structures called diverticula. It afflicts a significant portion of the population in Western countries, with a higher prevalence among the elderly. Diverticulosis is believed to be the result of a synergetic interaction between inherent tissue weakness, diet, colonic microstructure, motility, and genetic factors. A validated etiology has, however, not yet been established. Non-surgical treatment is currently lacking due to this poor understanding, and surgical colon resection is the only long-term solution following recurrent complications. With rising prevalence, the burden of diverticulosis on patients and hospital resources has increased over the past several years. More efficient and less invasive treatment approaches are, thus, urgently needed. Animal models of diverticulosis are crucial to enable a preclinical assessment and evaluation of such novel approaches. This review discusses the animal models of diverticulosis that have been proposed to date. The current models require either a significant amount of time to develop diverticulosis, present a relatively low success rate, or seriously deteriorate the animals' systemic health. Recommendations are thus provided to address these pitfalls through the selection of a suitable animal and the combination of multiple risk factors for diverticulosis.

Full colonoscopy in patients under 50 years old with lower gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common clinical problem in young patients. The management of this disease in patients is challenging. The aim of this study is to compare sigmoidoscopy with full colonoscopy in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 120 eligible patients under 50 years old with acute rectal bleeding were enrolled. After cleaning the colon, initially the patients underwent sigmoidoscopy. Pain, the comfort of the test by physician and patient, duration of the procedure, and pathologic findings were recorded. The procedure continued until the splenic flexure passed in the ileocecal valve, and this stage was considered as proximal colonoscopy. Pain, easy performance by physician and the patient, duration of procedure, and pathologic findings were recorded in this stage too. The variables in the two stages were compared with each other.

RESULTS

There were 66 women (55%) and 54 men (45%) and the mean of age was 41 ± 7.9 years. Proximal colonoscopy from splenic flexure to reach cecum was relatively easier for the physician and the patient than sigmoidoscopy (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the time spent to carry out proximal colonoscopy was less than the time taken for sigmoidoscopy (P < 0.001). Pathologic findings recorded in full colonoscopy were more than sigmoidoscopy (P < 0.001). Therefore, full colonoscopy that includes sigmoidoscopy and proximal colonoscopy is relatively easier than sigmoidoscopy for patients, and it also proves more advantageous than sigmoidoscopy for physicians to perform in Iranian patients because of more tortuous and elongated sigmoid colon in these patients.

CONCLUSION

It is advised to perform full colonoscopy than sigmoidoscopy in young patients with lower GI bleeding.

Is Colonoscopy Indicated in Young Patients with Hematochezia

Background/Aims

While colonoscopy is indicated in patients >50 years old presenting with hematochezia, its role in those ≤50 remains debatable. This study aims to evaluate the role of colonoscopy in patients presenting with hematochezia who are ≤50 years old.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients aged ≤50 years who underwent colonoscopy for hematochezia in 2012 was conducted. Patient demographics, endoscopic details, and histological results were analyzed. Patients were stratified by age to compare differences in outcome.

Results

A total of 361 patients with a median age of 44 (range, 18-50) years were reviewed. Hemorrhoid (n = 183, 69.6%) was the most common etiology. Seventy-two neoplastic polyps were identified in 48 (13.3%) patients. There was a significantly larger proportion of patients aged 41-50 years who had neoplastic polyps compared to those aged ≤40 (18.8 vs. 3.8%, p ≤ 0.001); 43.8% (n = 28) of the neoplastic polyps found in those aged 41-50 were proximal to the splenic flexure. The only 2 (0.5%) patients with malignancy were aged 41-50 years.

Conclusion

Performing colonoscopy in patients presenting with hematochezia should be strongly considered for those aged 41-50 years in view of the significant likelihood of underlying neoplastic polyps compared to those aged ≤40 years.

Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Characteristics and Clinical Outcome of Patients Treated With an Intensive Protocol

Background

In recent years major advances have been made in the management of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and clinical outcome of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) treated with an intensive protocol.

Methods

We analyzed the medical records of 528 patients with ALGIB. All patients after hemodynamic stabilization underwent colonoscopy during the first 24 h of hospitalization and capsule enteroscopy when needed. Patients with massive ongoing bleeding underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA), and when active bleeding was detected embolization was immediately performed.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 70.2 ± 14.6 years and 271 (51.3%) of them were men. At least one comorbidity was present in 464 patients (87.9%), cardiovascular disease in 266 (50.4%), while 158 (30%) patients were on antiplatelet drugs and 96 (18.2%) on anticoagulants. The most common causes of bleeding were diverticulosis (19.7%) and ischemic colitis (19.3%). Thirty-six patients (6.9%) had small intestinal bleeding. In 117 patients (22.2%) active bleeding or recent bleeding stigmata were found and in 82 of them (92.1%) endoscopic hemostasis was applied. Embolization was performed in 10 (1.9%) and was successful in seven (70%) cases, while surgical hemostasis was required in only six (1.1%) cases. Forty-four (8.3%) patients had a rebleeding episode, and 13 patients died with an overall mortality of 2.5%.

Conclusions

Management of ALGIB based on an intensive protocol is safe and effective. The bleeding source can be identified in most cases with a favorable outcome.

Improved outcomes following implementation of an acute gastrointestinal bleeding multidisciplinary protocol

BACKGROUND

Effective multidisciplinary management of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requires effective communication. We instituted a protocol to standardize communication practices with the hypothesis that outcomes would improve following protocol initiation.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 442 patients who required procedural management of acute GIB at our institution during a 50-month period spanning 25 months before and 25 months after implementation of a multidisciplinary communication protocol. The protocol stipulates that when a patient with severe GIB is identified, a conference call is coordinated among the gastroenterology, interventional radiology, and acute care surgery teams. A consensus plan is generated and then reassessed following procedural interventions and changes in patients' status. Patients' characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes were compared before and after protocol initiation.

RESULTS

Patient populations before and after protocol initiation were similar in age, comorbidities, outpatient use of antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications, admission vital signs, and admission laboratory values. The median interval between admission and the first procedure was significantly shorter in the protocol group (40 vs 47 hours, p = 0.046). The proportion of patients who received packed red blood cell transfusions decreased following protocol initiation (41% vs 50%, p = 0.018). Median hospital length of stay was significantly shorter in the protocol group (5.0 vs 6.0 days, p = 0.014). Readmissions with GIB were decreased after protocol implementation (8% vs. 15%, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of a multidisciplinary protocol for management of acute GIB was associated with earlier intervention, fewer packed red blood cell transfusions, shorter hospital length of stay, and fewer readmissions with GIB. Future research should seek to establish causal relationships between communication practices and outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level III.

Approach to the Patient With Hematochezia

The evaluation of the patient with hematochezia can be complex because of the broad differential diagnosis and the number of management strategies available. In this article, a simplified approach to the history and physical examination is presented, with management illustrated in a case-oriented manner.

Exam 4 Questions

A 73-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia is currently in the stroke unit after suffering a right middle cerebral artery infarct. His symptoms started 2 h prior to arrival at the hospital, and tPA was administered. The patient is plegic on the left side and with mild dysarthria, but is otherwise neurologically intact. His labwork is within normal limits. Which of the following describes the optimal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis regimen for this patient?A.

Wait 6 h post tPA, then administer unfractionated heparin (UFH) along with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC)

B.

Wait 24 h post tPA, then administer UFH along with IPC

C.

Wait 6 h post tPA, then administer low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) along with IPC

D.

Wait 24 h post tPA, then administer LMWH along with IPC

E.

IPC only for the first 72 h, then LMWH or UFH after obtaining follow-up imaging

All of the following causes of acute encephalitis have the matching characteristic radiological features except:A.

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis: T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the mesial temporal lobes

B.

Cytomegalovirus: T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the subependymal white matter

C.

JC virus: T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the parieto-occipital lobes and corpus callosum

D.

Herpes simplex virus type 1: restricted diffusion in frontal/temporal lobes and insular cortex

E.

Varicella zoster: T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the brainstem

Which of the following categorizations is most accurate regarding acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)?A.

Non-neurogenic, non-cardiogenic

B.

Neurogenic, non-cardiogenic

C.

Neurogenic, cardiogenic

D.

Non-neurogenic, cardiogenic

E.

None of the above accurately reflect ARDS in SAH

A 52-year-old female is admitted to the ICU with a Hunt-Hess 1, modified Fisher 2 subarachnoid hemorrhage. Her past medical history is significant for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal insufficiency. She undergoes craniotomy for surgical clipping of an anterior cerebral artery aneurysm, and does not experience any additional complications. Two weeks later, she begins complaining of left calf pain, and a lower extremity sonogram demonstrated a proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The patient weighs 60 kg. Her laboratory values are as follows: sodium 142 mEq/L, potassium 3.4 mEq/L, carbon dioxide 18 mEq/L, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 70 mg/dL, and serum creatinine 2.5 mg/dL. What would be the optimal treatment for this patient’s proximal DVT?A.

Unfractionated heparin infusion for at least 5 days concomitantly with warfarin therapy

B.

Low molecular weight heparin 60 mg twice a day for at least 5 days concomitantly with warfarin therapy

C.

Fondaparinux 7.5 mg daily for 5 days followed by warfarin therapy

D.

Apixaban 10 mg twice daily for 7 days followed by 5 mg twice daily

E.

Rivaroxaban 15 mg twice daily for 21 days followed by 20 mg once daily

All of the following are currently implicated in uremic encephalopathy except:A.

Derangements in cerebral metabolism

B.

Alterations in the blood-brain barrier

C.

Accumulation of circulating toxins

D.

Imbalance of endogenous neurotransmitters

E.

Recurrent lobar hemorrhages

A 70-year-old female is hospitalized with a recent ischemic infarct. As part of stroke core measures, you obtain a hemoglobin A1c of 10.0. What is an approximate estimation of this patient’s average blood glucose level over the last several months?A.

70 mg/dL

B.

100 mg/dL

C.

130 mg/dL

D.

190 mg/dL

E.

240 mg/dL

A 28-year-old female with no known past medical history is in the ICU in status epilepticus, with anti-N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibodies isolated in the cerebrospinal fluid. Which of the following is most likely to identify the root cause of her illness?A.

Transvaginal ultrasound

B.

Contrast-enhanced CT of the chest

C.

Contrast-enhanced CT of the brain

D.

Virtual colonography

E.

Thorough examination of the skin, particularly in sun-exposed areas

A 17-year-old male with no significant past medical history collapses during a high school football game, and goes into cardiac arrest. He did not have any complaints earlier in the day. The patient is brought to a nearby hospital, where is he resuscitated, intubated, and transferred to the ICU for further management. The patient is currently undergoing therapeutic hypothermia, and a work-up is underway to determine the cause of his sudden collapse. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?A.

Rupture of a previously undiagnosed cerebral aneurysm

B.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

C.

Commotio cordis

D.

Severe hyponatremia and cerebral edema

E.

Brugada syndrome

A 31-year-old female at 38 weeks gestation is currently hospitalized for the treatment of preeclampsia. Due to her medical condition, her obstetrician is currently considering induced labor. At which point will this patient no longer be at risk for developing frank seizure activity as a result of her condition?A.

48 h postpartum

B.

1 week after delivery

C.

2 weeks after delivery

D.

4 weeks after delivery

E.

6 weeks after delivery

A 38-year-old male with no prior medical history presents to the emergency department with fever and severe headaches for several days. A CT scan of the brain is unremarkable, and the results of a lumbar puncture are pending. What is the most appropriate empiric antimicrobial regimen at this time?A.

Cefazolin and vancomycin

B.

Ceftriaxone and vancomycin

C.

Ceftriaxone, vancomycin and ampicillin

D.

Piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin

E.

Meropenem and vancomycin

The majority of intramedullary spinal cord neoplasms are:A.

Astrocytomas

B.

Meningiomas

C.

Metastatic lesions

D.

Ependymomas

E.

Hemangioblastomas

Which of the following derived parameter formulas is correct?A.

Cardiac index = cardiac output x body surface area

B.

Stroke volume = cardiac output/heart rate

C.

Systemic vascular resistance = 80 × (mean arterial pressure/cardiac output)

D.

Pulmonary vascular resistance = 80 × (mean pulmonary artery pressure/cardiac output)

E.

All of the above are correct

A 23-year-old female marathon runner is currently in the ICU after suffering from heat stroke following an outdoor run on a particularly hot summer day. She was initially delirious in the emergency department, but progressed to coma and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Her oral temperature is 42.1 °C. Which of the following would be most effective in reducing this patient’s severe hyperthermia?A.

Regularly scheduled alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen

B.

Spraying room temperature water on the patient, followed by fanning

C.

Ice water immersion

D.

Dantrolene sodium, 2.5 mg/kg

E.

Application of ice packs to the groin and axilla

Hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia (HIE) therapy may be useful for toxicity related to which of the following?A.

Tricyclic antidepressants

B.

Calcium channel blockers

C.

Aspirin

D.

Digoxin

E.

Lithium

A 71-year-old female with a history of alcohol abuse is currently intubated in the ICU following a catastrophic spontaneous left basal ganglia hemorrhage with resultant herniation. You have just declared her brain dead. The patient’s family agrees to make her an organ donor, and the organ donation coordinator requests you initiate levothyroxine therapy. Which of the following benefits would be expected with this treatment?A.

Increase the number of solid organs available for transplant

B.

Eliminate the need for hepatic biopsy prior to liver transplant

C.

Eliminate the need for cardiac catheterization prior to heart transplant

D.

Eliminate the need for bronchoscopy prior to lung transplant

E.

Reduce the need for supplementation of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium

Which of the following is not an element of the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score?A.

Eye opening

B.

Respiratory function

C.

Brainstem reflexes

D.

Motor response

E.

Verbal response

A 23-year-old female is currently in the ICU with status asthmaticus. She was initially on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, with an arterial blood gas (ABG) as follows: pH 7.13, pCO₂ 60 mmHg, PaO₂ is 61 mmHg, HCO₃ 24 mmol/L, and oxygen saturation of 90%. She is given continuous inhaled albuterol, intravenous steroids, and magnesium sulfate. She subsequently becomes more lethargic and is intubated, with settings as follows: volume assist-control, rate of 12 breaths/min, tidal volume of 500 cc, PEEP of 5 cm H₂O, and FiO₂ of 50%. Peak airway pressure is 50 cm H₂O and plateau pressure is 15 cm H₂O. A stat portable chest x-ray shows hyperinflation with no pneumothorax. A repeat ABG after 30 min of invasive ventilation shows the following: pH of 7.24, pCO₂ 49 mmHg, PaO₂ 71 mmHg, HCO₃ is 25 mmol/L. Which of the following should be performed next?A.

Increase rate to 16

B.

Increase tidal volume to 600 cc

C.

Initiate bicarbonate infusion

D.

Switch to pressure assist-control

E.

Maintain current settings

Which of the following mechanisms is implicated in super-refractory status epilepticus?A.

Influx of proinflammatory molecules

B.

Upregulation of NMDA receptors

C.

Upregulation of molecular transport molecules

D.

Downregulation of GABA receptors

E.

All of the above

A 85-year-old male with a history nephrolithiasis, mild dementia, and alcohol abuse presented to the emergency department after a fall from standing, and was found to a right holohemispheric subdural hematoma. His clot was evacuated successfully, in spite of his oozing diathesis in the operating room (INR on arrival was 1.4 with a platelet count of 88 × 10³/μL). His serum transaminases are twice the normal value, and he has had refractory chronic hyponatremia. He has had three convulsions during this week of hospitalization, in spite of levetiracetam therapy at 1.5 g twice a day. Over the past 24 h, he has had a marked increase in agitation. He has also just had a 5-s run of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, and his systolic blood pressure is now 85 mmHg. You are considering discontinuing his levetiracetam and starting a new agent. Which of the following would be the best choice in this scenario?A.

Carbamazepine

B.

Phenytoin

C.

Valproate

D.

Lacosamide

E.

Topiramate

A 65-year-old male with a history of COPD on rescue albuterol and ipratropium is diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, and started on an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. He returns several days later complaining of increased salivation and worsening bronchial secretions in the absence of fevers, purulent sputum, or increasing dyspnea. These symptoms are not relieved by use of his albuterol. On exam, he has slightly decreased air movement throughout both lung fields without any clear wheezing, no focal rales, and a normal inspiratory to expiratory ratio. Which treatment option is most likely to be beneficial?A.

Increase frequency of short-acting ß₂ agonist use

B.

Add a standing long-acting inhaled ß₂ agonist

C.

Add glycopyrrolate as needed

D.

Add inhaled corticosteroids

E.

Add oral systemic corticosteroids

Regarding states of impaired consciousness, which of the following statements regarding arousal and awareness is correct?A.

Coma: intact arousal, but impaired awareness

B.

Minimally conscious state: impaired arousal and impaired awareness

C.

Persistent vegetative state: intact arousal, but impaired awareness

D.

Locked-in state: intact arousal, but impaired awareness

E.

All of the above are correct

A 62-year-old female is currently in the ICU following craniotomy for clipping of a cerebral aneurysm. Postoperatively, she is noted to have an oxygen saturation of 92% on 50% non-rebreather face mask, and her respiratory rate is 32 breaths/min. She denies chest pain. Her blood pressure is 96/72 mmHg and heart rate is 120 beats/min. Nimodipine has been held according to blood pressure parameters. A portable chest x-ray shows hazy opacities bilaterally, and bedside echocardiogram shows decreased left ventricular systolic function with apical, septal, lateral, anterior, anteroseptal and inferolateral wall akinesis, along with apical ballooning. Which of the following should be performed next?A.

Intubate the patient and begin mechanical ventilation

B.

Call urgent cardiology consult for cardiac catheterization

C.

Start noninvasive positive airway pressure ventilation

D.

Administer broad spectrum antibiotics

E.

Administer albuterol and systemic corticosteroids

Which of the following is the most common etiology of acute spinal cord ischemia and infarction?A.

Atherosclerotic disease

B.

Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

C.

Degenerative spine disease

D.

Cardioembolic events

E.

Systemic hypotension in the setting of other disease processes

A 62-year-old female with a history of coronary artery disease has just been admitted to the ICU with a left-sided spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage. The patient takes 325 mg of aspirin daily at home, and you are considering platelet transfusion. Which of the following has been demonstrated regarding platelet transfusion in this setting?A.

Improved chances of survival to hospital discharge

B.

Decreased hospital length-of-stay

C.

Improved chances of survival at 3 months

D.

Improved modified Rankin scale at 3 months

E.

None of the above

Which of the following therapies has been shown to decrease the incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)?A.

Atorvastatin

B.

Magnesium

C.

Methylprednisolone

D.

Nicardipine

E.

None of the above

A 70-year-old male with a history of diabetes, hypertension, and cigarette smoking (one pack per day for the last 40 years) is currently in the ICU with a COPD exacerbation. This is his third exacerbation this year, and was discharged from the hospital only 3 weeks prior. On your examination, he is alert, his breathing is labored, and he has rales at the right lung base. His vital signs are as follows: blood pressure 90/60 mmHg, heart rate 120 beats per minute, respirations 28 per minute, and temperature 38.3 °C. His oxygen saturation on 50% face mask is 93%, and his most recent PCO₂ is 55 mmHg. Labs are notable for the following: white blood cell count 14.4 × 10⁹/L with 90% neutrophils, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 30 mg/dL, serum creatinine 1.2 mg/dL, and glucose 240 mg/dL. Ketones are negative. He is currently on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation at 10/5 cm H₂O and 50% FiO₂, and broad spectrum antibiotics have been administered. An hour later, the nurse pages you because his heart rate is now 140 beats per minute and irregular, blood pressure is 85 systolic, oxygen saturation is 85%, and he is minimally responsive. You now hear bilateral rales, most prominently in the right lung base, and scattered wheezes. Which of the following should be performed next?A.

Increase inspiratory pressure to 15 and FiO₂ to 100%

B.

Start a continuous diltiazem infusion and give intravenous furosemide

C.

Start a continuous phenylephrine infusion targeting a mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 65

D.

Give 125 mg of solumedrol and administer albuterol via nebulizer

E.

Intubate the patient and initiate mechanical ventilation

A 57-year-old male with a history of epilepsy is currently in the stroke unit following a large right middle cerebral artery infarction. A nasogastric tube has been inserted, and 24 h continuous enteral feeds have been initiated. The patient is currently on 100 mg of phenytoin every 8 h for seizure prophylaxis. Which of the following measures should be taken to prevent the patient from developing subtherapeutic phenytoin levels?A.

Change to 18 h tube feeds, and only administer phenytoin at night

B.

Change to 18 h tube feeds, and only administer phenytoin twice daily

C.

Switch from standard to hydrolyzed tube feeds

D.

Switch from standard to glycemic control tube feeds

E.

Hold tube feeds for 2 h before and after phenytoin administration

A 37-year-old female presents to the emergency department with approximately 2 weeks of progressively worsening clumsiness and drastic mood swings. Her past medical history is significant only for Crohn’s disease, for which she takes both natalizumab and infliximab. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of her head is performed, revealing hypodense, non-enhancing lesions in the cortical white matter of the frontal and parietal lobes. Despite treatment, the patient expires 1 month later. Which of the following is true regarding the most likely diagnosis?A.

The diagnosis may be confirmed via CSF analysis

B.

The pathologic process spares oligodendrocytes

C.

It is a prion-based disease

D.

The condition is universally fatal despite treatment

E.

All of the above

A 58-year-old female presents to the emergency department with dry cough, fever and rapidly progressive dyspnea over 1 week. She has a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is maintained on weekly methotrexate and daily prednisone (which was increased to 30 mg starting 1 month ago for an acute flare). She takes no other medications. Her vital signs are as follows: blood pressure 100/70 mmHg, heart rate 110 beats/min, respiratory rate 20 breaths/min, and temperature 38.0 °C. In the ED she develops progressive hypoxemia with oxygen saturation 92% on 100% nonrebreather, and is increasingly diaphoretic. She is emergently intubated, and a chest x-ray post intubation shows extensive bilateral lung opacities. Which of the following should be administered at this time?A.

Ceftriaxone and azithromycin

B.

Vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam

C.

Vancomycin, cefepime, and fluconzole

D.

Ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

E.

Tigecycline only

A 45-year-old woman undergoes uncomplicated transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma. She appears well hydrated and is not complaining of excessive thirst. Post-operatively, she is noted to have increased urine output. Serum sodium is 137 mEq/L, and serum osmolarity is 275 mOsm/kg. What is the most likely cause of her polyuria?A.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone

B.

Diabetes insipidus

C.

Cerebral salt wasting

D.

Fluid mobilization

E.

All of the above are equally likely

A 36-year-old female with a recent lumbar puncture to rule out subarachnoid hemorrhage is now complaining of a severe headache unlike anything she has experienced previously. She reports her headache is worse when standing, and better upon lying flat. She is otherwise neurologically intact. All of the following medications may be beneficial in this scenario except:A.

Acetaminophen

B.

Ibuprofen

C.

Caffeine

D.

Aminophylline

E.

Methylprednisolone

Which of the following is the most common overall cause of acute myocardial infarction?A.

Coronary dissection

B.

Plaque rupture

C.

Imbalance between oxygen demand and supply across a fixed obstruction

D.

Coronary vasospasm

E.

Ischemia related to hypotension and decreased perfusion

A 78-year-old male is in the ICU recovering from sepsis and pneumonia. He was just recently extubated after 2 days of mechanical ventilation and sedation with a fentanyl infusion. Over the ensuing days, he develops worsening abdominal distention, poor bowel sounds, and no stool output. CT scan reveals significant colonic distention, but no mass or obstruction. Records demonstrate a normal routine colonoscopy performed 6 weeks ago. You have appropriately hydrated the patient, corrected any electrolyte abnormalities, placed a rectal tube, withheld all opiates, and given intravenous erythromycin, but to no avail. Abdominal x-rays continue to demonstrate marked cecal dilatation greater than 12 cm in diameter. What is the next best appropriate therapy for this patient?A.

Neostigmine

B.

Naloxone

C.

Metoclopromide

D.

Surgical consultation for hemicolectomy

E.

Endoscopic percutaneous cecostomy tube placement

Which of the following is the most common cerebral vascular malformation in the general population?A.

AV malformation

B.

Dural AV fistula

C.

Developmental venous anomaly

D.

Cavernous malformation

E.

Vein of Galen malformation

A 49-year-old female with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and recent subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reservoir placement presents to the emergency department with fever, chills, and increased confusion for the past 3 days. Her CSF reservoir was last accessed 1 week ago. A thorough work-up reveals no other obvious infectious source, and there is concern for CSF reservoir-associated meningitis. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?A.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci

B.

Propionobacterium acnes

C.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

D.

Klebsiella pneumoniae

E.

Neisseria meningitidis

A 47-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with headache, nausea, and vomiting. Non-contrast head CT is performed, revealing subarachnoid blood in the right Sylvian fissure, and conventional angiography reveals the presents of a large right-sided MCA aneurysm. The patient undergoes successful surgical clipping of her aneurysm, and is being observed in the ICU. On admission, the patient’s serum sodium was 142 mEq/L and the hematocrit was 37%; by the seventh post-operative day, the serum sodium is 127 mEq/L and the hematocrit is 44%. Bedside ultrasonography demonstrates an IVC diameter of approximately 0.9 cm. Which of the following interventions would be least reasonable at this time?A.

Fludrocortisone, 0.2 mg twice a day

B.

2% hypertonic saline, infused peripherally

C.

3% hypertonic saline, infused centrally

D.

Sodium chloride oral tablets

E.

1500 mL daily fluid restriction

Which of the following is true regarding central (non-infectious) fever?A.

Less common in subarachnoid hemorrhage

B.

More common versus infectious fever

C.

Earlier onset versus infectious fever

D.

Easier to confirm versus infectious fever

E.

All of the above

Flaccid paralysis is most commonly associated with which of the following forms of encephalitis?A.

West Nile

B.

Varicella zoster

C.

Rabies

D.

Herpes simplex

E.

Epstein-Barr

Which of the following would not be considered appropriate therapy for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?A.

Discontinuation of heparin products alone

B.

Danaparoid

C.

Fondaparinux

D.

Argatroban

E.

All of the above are acceptable treatment options

A 45-year-old male with severe blunt traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motor vehicle collision suffered a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest at the time of injury with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the field after endotracheal intubation and one dose of epinephrine. On arrival to the emergency department, no regional wall motion abnormalities were noted on surface echocardiography and no ST segment changes were seen on the presenting EKG. Head CT revealed cerebral contusions but no extra-axial mass lesions. The patient is now in the ICU and found to be comatose without sedation. Mild therapeutic hypothermia to 33° is being considered in the management of this post-arrest patient. Which of the following statements is true?A.

Mild therapeutic hypothermia is contraindicated due to the risk of induced epilepsy

B.

Mild therapeutic hypothermia is contraindicated with any intracranial pathology on CT imaging

C.

Mild therapeutic hypothermia does not induce a clinically significant coagulopathy

D.

Patients who have sustained ROSC after an arrest associated with TBI do not benefit from therapeutic hypothermia

E.

Endovascular cooling is superior to surface cooling in young patients with ROSC

A 35-year-old male is in the intensive care unit following resection of a large right-sided meningioma. He is currently intubated and sedated on a continuous fentanyl infusion. The nurse calls you to the bedside due to concerns over “unusual ventilator waveforms”. Upon arrival, you note the following (see Image 1). What is the best way to describe this phenomenon?A.

Reverse triggering

B.

Double triggering

C.

Breath stacking

D.

Missed triggering

E.

None of the above; normal ventilator waveforms are present

Accuracy of 99mTechnetium-labeled RBC Scintigraphy and MDCT With Gastrointestinal Bleed Protocol for Detection and Localization of Source of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

BACKGROUND

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Multidetector row computed tomography (CT) with gastrointestinal (GI) bleed protocol is a novel diagnostic technique for detecting and localizing LGIB. Being rapid and noninvasive, it may be useful as a first-line modality to investigate cases of acute LGIB.

GOALS

To assess and compare diagnostic accuracy of (99M)Technetium (Tc)-labeled red blood cell (RBC) scintigraphy and multidetector row CT with GI bleed protocol for detection and localization of source of acute LGIB.

STUDY

Requirement of informed consent was waived for this retrospective study. Seventy-six patients had undergone either RBC scintigraphy, CT with GI bleed protocol, or both, followed by conventional angiography for evaluation of acute persistent LGIB between January 2010 and February 2014 at our institution. Accuracy of both modalities was assessed using conventional angiography as reference standard and compared using the 2-tailed, Fisher exact test. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Fifty-one, 20, and 5 patients had undergone RBC scintigraphy only, CT with GI bleed protocol only, and both modalities, respectively. Fourteen of 25 patients in the CT group had angiographic evidence of active bleeding as compared with 32 of 56 patients in the scintigraphy group. CT with GI bleed protocol had higher accuracy (96%) than (99M)Tc-labeled RBC scintigraphy (55.4%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CT with GI bleed protocol was more accurate in detecting and localizing the source of acute LGIB as compared with (99M)Tc-labeled RBC scintigraphy.

Update on ischemic colitis: from etiopathology to treatment including patients of intensive care unit

Ischemic colitis is the result of colonic hypoperfusion and is regarded as a relatively rare condition. It can be roughly classified as occlusive and non-occlusive. Pathogenesis includes a usually transient compromise in the colonic vasculature, with a parallel activation of an inflammatory cascade caused primarily by reperfusion. Diagnosis of ischemic colitis remains often difficult and requires a combination of diagnostic techniques, whereas clinical signs are occasionally only seen late as complications. Gold standard is considered to be colonoscopy. Clinical presentation and treatment of ischemic colitis vary widely depending on the degree of ischemia. Patients of intensive care unit (ICU) with ischemic colitis are often under-diagnosed, since the parallel co-morbidities and the nonspecific nature of symptoms that mimic almost any abdominal pathology, can mislead the doctor. Moreover, sedated or ventilated patients can mask many of the characteristic features of ischemic colitis and make the diagnosis challenging. Bedside colonoscopy and diagnostic laparoscopy in ICUs are two options, which seem lately to be reliable and promising in diagnosing ischemic colitis in critically ill patients.

Crystal-Associated Colitis with Ulceration Leading to Hematochezia and Abdominal Pain

Lower GI bleeding is a common cause for hospitalization in adults. Medication-associated mucosal injury is an important clinical entity that can result in significant morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with a 3-month history of intermittent abdominal cramping and rectal bleeding. Her medical history was extensive and included end-stage renal disease and a remote history of endometrial carcinoma that was treated with radiation. Initial workup was concerning for ischemic and radiation colitis, however, histology was most consistent with acute inflammation and ulceration associated with crystal fragments. Sevelamer and cholestyramine are commonly used ion-exchange resins that have been associated with mucosal damage. Both medications were discontinued and her symptoms resolved. Our case highlights an underrecognized but important cause of hematochezia.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly: a rare aetiology masquerading as a diverticular bleed

Bleeding per rectum is a relatively common acute surgical presentation. Common causes include diverticular disease, colitis, haemorrhoids, polyps, etc. An 83-year-old man with a history of recurrent rectosigmoid diverticulitis and bilateral internal iliac artery aneurysms for 2 years presented with rectal bleeding. He was suspected to have a diverticular bleed based on history and examination. A CT scan revealed a large haematoma adjacent to the right isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIIAA) almost indistinguishable from the adjacent rectosigmoid, consistent with a ruptured IIIAA and an ileorectal fistula. The fistula was of a primary vascular enteric type and was accentuated by the inflammation arising from the diverticulitis. Hence, presence of more common or apparently obvious causes should not deter clinicians from thoroughly investigating the case. Rare causes should be kept in mind while dealing with common acute presentations, especially in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities.

Can the colour of per-rectal bleeding estimate the risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding caused by malignant lesion?

PURPOSE

To estimate the risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) caused by malignant lesion in patients presenting with per-rectal bleeding (PRB), by using visual aid as an objective measurement of PRB colour.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study on patients presented with PRB to Family Medicine Specialty Clinic, who undergo flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) or colonoscopy (CLN) from December 2012 to September 2013. Patients aged 40 years old or above, haemodynamically stable, with normal haemoglobin level were included. Patients with a history of previous colonic surgery, refused to have FS or CLN, with ophthalmologic diseases such as colour blindness were excluded. Parameters including subjective description of PRB colour, number of chosen red colour by patients, source and distance of bleeding from anal verge were recorded for analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the optimal cutoff level of colour for diagnosing colonic lesion. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by area under the ROC curve (AUC). Accountability of this model was assessed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

The dark PRB colour was associated with diagnosis of tumour (p < 0.001) and advanced neoplastic polyp (p < 0.001). The light PRB colour was associated with the diagnosis of piles (p < 0.001). The performance of our model to predict tumour or advanced neoplastic polyps by colour (AUC, 0.798) had a better discriminative power than that to predict colonic lesion alone (AUC, 0.610) by ROC curve analysis.

CONCLUSION

Objective measurement of PRB colour accurately estimated the risk of LGIB caused by malignant lesion in patients presenting with PRB.

Lower GI bleeding: a review of current management, controversies and advances

PURPOSE

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is defined as bleeding distal to the ligament of Treitz. In the UK, it represents approximately 3 % of all surgical referrals to the hospital. This review aims to provide review of the current evidence regarding the management of this condition.

METHODS

Literature was searched using Medline, Pubmed, and Cochrane for relevant evidence by two researchers. This was conducted in a manner that enabled a narrative review of the evidence covering the aetiology, clinical assessment and management options of continuously bleeding patients.

FINDINGS

The majority of patients with acute lower GI bleeding can be treated conservatively. In cases where ongoing bleeding occurs, colonoscopy is still the first line of investigation and treatment. Failure of endoscopy and persistent instability warrant angiography, possibly preceded by CT angiography and proceeding to superselective embolisation. Failure of embolisation warrants surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

There are still many unanswered questions. In particular, the development of a more reliable predictive tool for mortality, rebleeding and requirement for surgery needs to be the ultimate priority. There are a small number of encouraging developments on combination therapy with regard to angiography, endoscopy and surgery. Additionally, the increasing use of haemostatic agents provides an additional tool for the management of bleeding endoscopically in difficult situations.

Risk and mortality of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with thrombocytopenia: Two nationwide retrospective cohort studies

INTRODUCTION

The association between thrombocytopenia (TP) and gastrointestinal hemorrhage was not completely understood. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and post-hemorrhage mortality in patients with TP.

METHODS

Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 1033 adults aged ≥18 years diagnosed with TP in 2000-2003. Non-TP cohort consisted of 10,330 adults randomly selected and matched by age and sex from the same dataset. Incident events of gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurring after TP from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2008, were ascertained from medical claims. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of gastrointestinal hemorrhage associated with TP were calculated. Another nested cohort study consisted of 27,369 patients with hospitalization due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010. We calculated the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs of 30-day mortality after gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with and without TP during admission.

RESULTS

The incidences of gastrointestinal hemorrhage for people with and without TP were 14.5 and 5.07 per 1000 person-years, respectively (P<0.0001). Compared to people without TP, patients with TP had increased risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (HR, 2.61; 95% CI, 2.05-3.32). In the nested cohort study, TP was associated with post-hemorrhage mortality (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.09-3.59).

CONCLUSION

Patients with TP showed higher risks of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and post-hemorrhage mortality. Our findings suggest the urgency of preventing and managing gastrointestinal hemorrhage by a multidisciplinary medical team for this specific population.

New Trends in Acute Management of Colonic Diverticular Bleeding: A Systematic Review

Colonic diverticular disease is the most common cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In the past, this condition was usually managed with urgent colectomy. Recently, the development of endoscopy and interventional radiology has led to a change in the management of colonic diverticular bleeding.The aim of this systematic review is to define the best treatment for colonic diverticular bleeding.A systematic bibliographic research was performed on the online databases for studies (randomized controlled trials [RCTs], observational trials, case series, and case reports) published between 2005 and 2014, concerning patients admitted with a diagnosis of diverticular bleeding according to the PRISMA methodology.The outcomes of interest were: diagnosis of diverticulosis as source of bleeding; incidence of self-limiting diverticular bleeding; management of non self-limiting bleeding (endoscopy, angiography, surgery); and recurrent diverticular bleeding.Fourteen studies were retrieved for analysis. No RCTs were found. Eleven non-randomized clinical controlled trials (NRCCTs) were included in this systematic review. In all studies, the definitive diagnosis of diverticular bleeding was always made by urgent colonoscopy. The colonic diverticular bleeding stopped spontaneously in over 80% of the patients, but a re-bleeding was not rare. Recently, interventional endoscopy and angiography became the first-line approach, thus relegating emergency colectomy to patients presenting with hemodynamic instability or as a second-line treatment after failure or complications of hemostasis with less invasive treatments.Colonoscopy is effective to diagnose diverticular bleeding. Nowadays, interventional endoscopy and angiographic treatment have gained a leading role and colectomy should only be entertained in case of failure of the former.

Colorectal emergencies and related complications: a comprehensive imaging review--noninfectious and noninflammatory emergencies of colon

OBJECTIVE

In this article, we illustrate imaging findings of colorectal emergencies encountered in the acute setting that are primarily noninfectious and noninflammatory in origin. Our review should enable the reader to identify and understand common colorectal emergencies and related complications in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of colorectal emergencies is mostly straightforward, but it can be challenging because of the overlap of presenting symptoms and imaging findings. Therefore, it is essential to clarify the cause, narrow the differential diagnosis, and identify associated complications.

Association between Diverticular Disease and Pre-Neoplastic Colorectal Lesions in an Urban African-American Population

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether there is a shared pathway in the development of diverticular disease (DD) and potentially neoplastic colorectal lesions since both diseases are found in similar age groups and populations.

AIM

To determine the association between DD and colorectal pre-neoplastic lesions in an African-American urban population.

METHODS

Data from 1986 patients who underwent colonoscopy at the Howard University Hospital from January 2012 through December 2012 were analyzed for this study. The presence of diverticula and polyps was recorded using colonoscopy reports. Polyps were further classified into adenoma or hyperplastic polyp based on histopathology reports. Multiple logistic regression was done to analyze the association between DD and colonic lesions.

RESULTS

Of the 1986 study subjects, 1,119 (56%) were females, 35% had DD and 56% had at least one polyp. There was a higher prevalence of polyps (70 vs. 49%; OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.9-2.8) and adenoma (43 vs. 25%; OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7-2.5) in the diverticular vs. non-diverticula patients. Among patients who underwent screening colonoscopy, the presence of diverticulosis was associated with increased odds of associated polyps (OR = 9.9; 95% CI: 5.4-16.8) and adenoma (OR = 5.1; 95% CI: 3.4-7.8).

CONCLUSION

Patients with DD are more likely to harbor colorectal lesions. These findings call for more vigilance on the part of endoscopists during colonoscopy in patients known to harbor colonic diverticula.

Endoscopic management of diverticular bleeding

Diverticular hemorrhage is the most common reason for lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) with substantial cost of hospitalization and a median length of hospital stay of 3 days. Bleeding usually is self-limited in 70-80% of cases but early rebleeding is not an uncommon problem that can be reduced with proper endoscopic therapies. Colonoscopy is recommended as first-line diagnostic and therapeutic approach. In the vast majority of patients diverticular hemorrhage can be readily managed by interventional endotherapy including injection, heat cautery, clip placement, and ligation to achieve endoscopic hemostasis. This review will serve to highlight the various interventions available to endoscopists with specific emphasis on superior modalities in the endoscopic management of diverticular bleeding.

[Diverticular bleeding. Diagnostics, non-surgical treatment, indications for surgery]

BACKGROUND

Diverticular bleeding is the most common cause of acute severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have not been standardized.

OBJECTIVE

Development of an evidence-based management algorithm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of the literature (PubMed 1998-2013) was carried out and a review with consideration of current guidelines is given.

RESULTS

The lifetime risk of clinically relevant bleeding is estimated to be 5 % in persons with colonic diverticula. Patients with clinically suspected diverticular hemorrhage should be admitted to hospital. Diverticular bleeding will cease spontaneously in around 70-90 % of the cases. In patients with severe lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding, defined as instability of the circulation, persistent bleeding after 24 h, drop of the hemoglobin level to ≥ 2 g/dl or the necessity for transfusion, endoscopy of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract within the first 12-24 h is recommended. In patients with active diverticular bleeding or signs of recent hemorrhage (e.g. visible vessel or adherent clot) endoscopic therapy is strongly recommended because it significantly decreases the rate of early and late rebleeding. Angiography with superselective embolization is a therapeutic option in patients where endoscopy failed. Surgery should be considered in patients with ongoing bleeding and failure of interventional treatment and in patients who suffered from recurrent severe diverticular bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Diverticulosis coli remains the most common cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy is recommended as first-line diagnostic and therapeutic approach. In the vast majority of patients diverticular hemorrhage can be readily managed either conventionally or by interventional therapy.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding

This article examines causes of occult, moderate and severe lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The difference in the workup of stable vs unstable patients is stressed. Treatment options ranging from minimally invasive techniques to open surgery are explored.

Global disease burden of conditions requiring emergency surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgical disease is inadequately addressed globally, and emergency conditions requiring surgery contribute substantially to the global disease burden.

METHODS

This was a review of studies that contributed to define the population-based health burden of emergency surgical conditions (excluding trauma and obstetrics) and the status of available capacity to address this burden. Further data were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 and the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation online data.

RESULTS

In the index year of 2010, there were 896,000 deaths, 20 million years of life lost and 25 million disability-adjusted life-years from 11 emergency general surgical conditions reported individually in the Global Burden of Disease Study. The most common cause of death was complicated peptic ulcer disease, followed by aortic aneurysm, bowel obstruction, biliary disease, mesenteric ischaemia, peripheral vascular disease, abscess and soft tissue infections, and appendicitis. The mortality rate was higher in high-income countries (HICs) than in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (24.3 versus 10.6 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants respectively), primarily owing to a higher rate of vascular disease in HICs. However, because of the much larger population, 70 per cent of deaths occurred in LMICs. Deaths from vascular disease rose from 15 to 25 per cent of surgical emergency-related deaths in LMICs (from 1990 to 2010). Surgical capacity to address this burden is suboptimal in LMICs, with fewer than one operating theatre per 100,000 inhabitants in many LMICs, whereas some HICs have more than 14 per 100,000 inhabitants.

CONCLUSION

The global burden of surgical emergencies is described insufficiently. The bare estimates indicate a tremendous health burden. LMICs carry the majority of emergency conditions; in these countries the pattern of surgical disease is changing and capacity to deal with the problem is inadequate. The data presented in this study will be useful for both the surgical and public health communities to plan a more adequate response.