Background: Non-variceal upper GI bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common medical problem that has signifi cant association with morbidity and mortality. Angiographic detection and subsequent transarterial embolization (TAE) is a primary treatment option when m...
Background: Non-variceal upper GI bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common medical problem that has signifi cant association with morbidity and mortality. Angiographic detection and subsequent transarterial embolization (TAE) is a primary treatment option when medical and endoscopic treatments fail. We investigated clinical factors that could affect the success of the angiographic detection and prognosis after TAE in patients with NVUGIB refractory to endoscopic therapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data was done in patients with failed endoscopic treatment who underwent angiography for the treatment of acute NVUGIB between May 2002 and May 2013. Patients were divided into detection or non-detection groups according to the presence of bleeding stigmata in angiographic fi nding. Rebleeding defi ned as subsequent bleeding event within 7 days and mortality within 30days were analyzed as outcome parameters after TAE following detection in angiography. Results: A total 45 patients 37 (male, mean age, 65.9±14.9 years) were analyzed and classifi ed as a detection group (n=25, 55.5%) and non-detection group (n=20, 44.6%). Peptic ulcers were the most common cause of refractory NVUGIB. Larger transfusion amount (5.7±3.9 unit vs. 3.5±2.8 unit; P=0.03), prolonged aPTT level (34.2±17.3 sec vs. 21.8±13.8 sec; P=0.01) and short time interval between last endoscopy and angiography (17.5±25.9 hours vs. 34.3±59.5 hours; P=0.04) were found to be signifi cant factors for predicting angiographic detection. TAE was performed in all patients detected in angiography. Rebleeding (44%) was significantly associated with higher Rockall score (8.3±1.5 vs. 6.6±2.4; P=0.046) and mortality (12%) was signifi cantly associated with higher Rockall score (9.3±0.6 vs. 7.1±2.2; P=0.002) and higher level of BUN (55.3±47.4 vs. 27.6±17.4; P=0.01). Conclusions: Clinical characteristics associated with angiographic detection in patients with NVUGIB refractory to endoscopic therapy were severe bleeding, bleeding tendency and early angiographic intervention. The Rockall score is useful parameter for predicting rebleeding and mortality after TAE.