DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjm.2024.v10i09.010

Pages: 865-869

Upper Gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a frequent emergency in hepato-gastroenterology, particularly severe in cardiac patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the etiologies, risk factors and management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in these patients. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in our department, between April 2020 and January 2024, including 56 cardiac patients who presented with UGIB and benefited from endoscopic exploration. The mean age of the patients was 69 years, with a male predominance. Of these, 46,4 % were on anticoagulants alone, 32,1% on antiplatelet agents alone, and 5,3% on a combination of the two. Gastro-duodenal ulcer was the cause of bleeding in 46.4% of patients. Blood transfusion was required in 29 patients (51,8%), and intensive care in 12 patients (21,4%). The evolution was marked by a recurrence during the same hospitalization in 10 patients (17.8%), and 3 patients (5,3%) died during the same hospitalization from hemorrhagic shock. In conclusion, cardiac patients present a higher morbidity and mortality in cases of digestive gastrointestinal bleeding, underlining the importance of rapid and effective management.