ABSTRACT
UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT BLEEDING Upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI) bleeding constitutes 75% to 80% of all acute gastrointestinal tract bleeding. The mortality rate from acute UGI bleeding is low, ranging from 5% to 10%, but it has not changed appreciably in the past 50 years. This lack of change in mortality rate likely is related to the increased age of patients presenting with UGI bleeding and the increase in associated comorbid conditions. Peptic ulcers are the most common source of UGI bleeding, accounting for about 40% of cases. Gastric erosions (15%-25%), bleeding varices (5%- 30%), and Mallory-Weiss tears (5%-15%) are the other major causes of UGI bleeding. Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is prevalent in 45% to 60% of all patients with acute bleeding. Moreover, the risk of UGI bleeding is increased in patients taking as little as one baby aspirin a day.
