Special Considerations in the GI Bleeding Patient

Haniee Chung1, Matthew G Mutch1

  • 1Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is an increasingly common problem in patients with comorbid medical conditions that place them at higher bleeding risk. This discussion of some special considerations in the GI bleeding patient encompasses an overview of the elderly patient, and selects comorbid conditions that place patients at higher risk of developing intestinal bleeding. The discussion lends itself to exploring the challenges of and new advancements in anticoagulation therapy. Radiation induced proctitis and rectal varices as sources of LGIB will also be addressed.

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