Hemorragia digestiva alta: orientación diagnóstica y conducta actual sobre las estrategias terapéuticas, revisión bibliográfica

Abstract

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding constitutes one of the causes of gastrointestinal pathology when it comes to urgent care, that needs a prompt diagnosis and management to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. In order to classify gastrointestinal bleeding, it can be divided into non variceal and variceal. For non variceal bleeding it stands out the presence of peptic ulcer disease in which the principal involved etiology corresponds to the colonization of Helicobacter pylori. When evaluating the patient, it is necessary to keep in mind previous history of bleeding, because it will be important for a possible recurrence of the hemorrhagic episode. Also there are other risk factors that constitute an element to take into account for evaluating the patient in which this pathology is suspected. 

It is of great importance to keep in mind that there are several differential diagnoses that will be reviewed throughout this article. Knowing the difference between each one, allows an adequate treatment and management. 

For treatment, there are three relevant stages that should be followed  in order to guarantee the most organized management possible and improve the patient’s survival, these are pre endoscopic, endoscopic and post endoscopic management.