[Stress-induced haemorrhages in intensive care patients (author's transl)]

An analysis of the case material of the intensive care unit of the Department of Surgery showed haemorrhages from acute gastro-duodenal lesions in 8% of the cases. Control of the bleeding by therapeutic lavage with suspensions of antacids was the more effective the higher the frequency of application. Prophylactic lavage with antiacids in patients liable to develop gastric bleeding succeeded in reducing the incidence of this complication to 1%. Prophylactic administration of Cimetidine had the same effect.