Hematemesis

Hematemesis is the vomiting of blood. It is always an important sign. It can be confused with hemoptysis (coughing up blood) or epistaxis (nosebleed), which are more common. The source is generally the upper gastrointestinal tract, typically above the suspensory muscle of duodenum. It may be caused by ulcers, tumors of the stomach or esophagus, varices, prolonged and vigorous retching, gastroenteritis, ingested blood (from bleeding in the mouth, nose, or throat), or certain drugs.

Hematemesis
Other namesHaematemesis
SpecialtyGeneral surgery, gastroenterology
SymptomsVomiting bright blood
CausesHemorrhoid
Gastritis
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Stomach cancer
Septicemic plague
Diagnostic methodEndoscopy
Differential diagnosisEpistaxis, Hemoptysis

Hematemesis is treated as a medical emergency, with treatments based on the amount of blood loss. Investigations include endoscopy. Any blood loss may be corrected with intravenous fluids and blood transfusions. Patients may need to avoid taking anything by mouth.

Definition

Hematemesis is the vomiting of blood.[1] This is usually vomit that contains bright red blood.[2] Coffee ground vomiting is similar to hematemesis, but is distinct in not involving bright red blood.[3]

Hematemesis is always an important sign.[1] It must be differentiated from hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed).[4] Both of these are more common conditions. These may be difficult to distinguish.

Differential diagnosis

Hematemesis may be caused by:

Mechanism

The source of vomited blood is usually from the upper gastrointestinal tract.[1] This can include the esophagus, stomach, and parts of the small intestine.[4] This may be the suspensory muscle of duodenum.[1] Hematemesis tends to occur only after significant blood loss.[7]

Evaluation

Hematemesis may be investigated with endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract.[8][9] Barium meal may also be used.[8]

Management

Hematemesis is treated as a medical emergency.[7][10] The most vital distinction is whether there is blood loss sufficient to cause shock. Correct management is required in such conditions. It is required to perform all tests such as endoscopy before medication. A platelet test is also an important test in such conditions. Medicines such as painkillers or antibiotics, e.g. ciprofloxacin, could decrease platelet count which can lead to thrombocytopenia (when the body does not have sufficient platelets in the blood and cannot form clots). In such conditions wrong medication or management could be deadly. Blood transfusion is required in such conditions if the body loses more than 20 percent of body blood volume. Severe loss makes it impossible for the heart to pump a sufficient amount of blood to the body. In such conditions unmaintained blood volume could lead to hypovolemic shock (hypovolemic shock could lead to damage of body organs e.g. kidney, brain, or gangrene of arms or legs). An untreated patient could develop cerebral atrophy.

Minimal blood loss

In cases that do not involve shock, treatment may involve proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) to treat stomach ulcers if they are present.[9] This is given until endoscopy can be arranged. Blood transfusions may be given if the level of hemoglobin in the blood is extremely low, that is less than 8.0 g/dL or 4.5–5.0 mmol/L. A patient may be kept nothing by mouth (or no eating or drinking). Adequate venous access (such as with large-bore cannulas or a central venous catheter) is generally obtained in case the patient develops a further bleed and becomes unstable.

Significant blood loss

In a "hemodynamically significant" case of hematemesis, there may be shock. Resuscitation is an immediate priority to prevent death.[11] Intravenous fluids and blood transfusions can be given, preferably by large bore intravenous cannula. The patient is prepared for emergency endoscopy, which is typically done in a operating theatre. Surgical opinion is usually sought in case the source of bleeding cannot be identified endoscopically, and laparotomy is necessary. Securing the airway is a top priority in hematemesis patients, especially those with a disturbed conscious level (hepatic encephalopathy in esophageal varices patient). This may be achieved with a cuffed endotracheal tube. Octreotide may be used if bleeding may be caused by varices.[9]

Techniques

Hematemesis, melena, and hematochezia are symptoms of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Bleeding that brings the patient to the physician is a potential emergency and must be considered as such until its seriousness can be evaluated. The goals in managing a major acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage are to treat hypovolemia by restoring the blood volume to normal, to make a diagnosis of the bleeding site and its underlying cause, and to treat the cause of the bleeding as definitively as possible. The history should be directed toward (1) confirming the presence of bleeding; (2) estimating its amount and rapidity; (3) identifying the source and potential specific causes; and (4) eliciting the presence of serious associated diseases that might adversely affect the outcome. The information obtained is especially helpful in identifying situations that require aggressive management.

See also

References
  1. Interpreting Signs and Symptoms. Nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2007. pp. 308–9. ISBN 9781582556680.
  2. Kasotakis, George; Velmahos, George C. (2013). "46 - Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Critically ill Patient". Critical Care Secrets (5th ed.). Mosby. pp. 329–335. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-08500-7.00048-5. ISBN 978-0-323-08500-7.
  3. Goff, John S. (2010). "51 - Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Hemorrhage". GI/Liver Secrets (4th ed.). Mosby. pp. 355–362. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-06397-5.00051-4. ISBN 978-0-323-06397-5.
  4. Scully, Crispian (2014). "4 - Signs and symptoms". Scully's Medical Problems in Dentistry (7th ed.). Churchill Livingstone. pp. 97–122. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-5401-3.00004-7. ISBN 978-0-7020-5401-3.
  5. Fedail, Suliman Salih (2019). "19 - Intestinal Schistosomiasis in Africa". Digestive Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa - Changes and Challenges. Academic Press. pp. 185–194. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-815677-3.00019-0. ISBN 978-0-12-815677-3. S2CID 58998251.
  6. Nkuize M, Gomez-Galdon M, Van Laethem Y, Buset M (2014). "A rare case of hematemesis following gastro-duodenal strongyloides infection". Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 77 (4): 383–385. PMID 25682625.
  7. Wilson, I. Dodd (1990). "85 - Hematemesis, Melena, and Hematochezia". Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations (3rd ed.). Boston: Butterworths. ISBN 978-0-409-90077-4. PMID 21250251.
  8. Walls, W. D.; Glanville, J. N.; Chandler, G. N. (21 August 1971). "Early investigation of haematemesis and melaena". The Lancet. Originally published as Volume 2, Issue 7721. 298 (7721): 387–390. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(71)90110-3. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 4105170.
  9. Kovacs, Thomas O. G.; Jensen, Dennis M. (2010), "Hematemesis", Practical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Esophagus and Stomach, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 212–216, doi:10.1002/9781444327311.ch30, ISBN 978-1-4443-2731-1, retrieved 2021-12-01
  10. "Vomiting blood (haematemesis)". nhs.uk. 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  11. Tabaković, Mithat; Baraković, Fahir; Karasalihović, Zinaida; Marković, Sergej; Tabaković, Mustafa (2021-11-11). "Death in hospital conditions". Acta Medica Saliniana. 50 (1–2). doi:10.5457/ams.v50i1-2.555 (inactive 31 July 2022). ISSN 1840-3956.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2022 (link)
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