Related Experiment Videos

Gastrointestinal bleeding and anticoagulation in the Colombian Southwest

C A Rojas-Rodríguez1, A F Mejía-Hurtado2, L J Hurtado-Bermúdez3

  • 1Universidad Icesi, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Cali, Colombia; Fundación Valle del Lili, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Servicio de Gastroenterología, Cali, Colombia.

Revista De Gastroenterologia De Mexico (English)
|May 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Anticoagulant use increases gastrointestinal bleeding risk, but patient characteristics and outcomes are similar across different anticoagulant types. Further research comparing anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated patients is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Anticoagulants are crucial for cardiovascular conditions but elevate gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) risk.
  • Reported GIB rates vary significantly globally, from 4% to 17%.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize anticoagulated patients experiencing GIB.
  • To analyze regional epidemiology and inform clinical decisions regarding anticoagulant-associated GIB.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 121 non-pregnant patients on warfarin, direct-acting oral anticoagulants, or parenteral anticoagulants.
  • Data collected on GIB presentation between January 2018 and June 2022.

Main Results:

  • Atrial fibrillation was the primary indication for anticoagulation (35%).
  • Upper GI tract bleeding occurred in 51% of patients; 30% had prior bleeding.
  • Rebleeding rates were 9.1%, and in-hospital mortality was 2.5%.

Conclusions:

  • No significant differences in clinical characteristics, treatment, or outcomes were observed based on anticoagulant type.
  • GIB in anticoagulated patients may resemble GIB in non-anticoagulated individuals.
  • Comparative studies are recommended to validate these findings.
Abstract

Keywords:
Agentes anticoagulantesAnticoagulant agentsComplicacionesComplicationsEndoscopiaEndoscopyGastrointestinal bleedingHemorragia gastrointestinal

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management01:28

Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management

Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
Disorders of Hemostasis01:24

Disorders of Hemostasis

Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...