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Helicobacter pylori and upper gastrointestinal bleed in heart valve surgery
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The London Chest Hospital, UK. liewwliik@hotmail.com
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection significantly increases upper gastrointestinal bleeding risk in heart valve surgery patients on anticoagulation. Eradicating H. pylori before or after surgery is crucial for those needing long-term anticoagulation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is linked to gastritis and peptic ulcers.
- Anticoagulation after heart valve replacement prevents thrombosis but increases bleeding risk.
- Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a serious complication in these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively assess the incidence of H. pylori infection and upper GI bleeding post-heart valve replacement.
- To determine the correlation between H. pylori status and GI bleeding in anticoagulated patients.
Main Methods:
- 150 patients undergoing heart valve replacement were evaluated post-surgery.
- Questionnaires assessed upper GI bleeding symptoms and management.
- Blood samples tested for H. pylori antibodies using the Rapid Helisal Test.
Main Results:
- H. pylori infection was detected in 24.6% of patients (37/150).
- Of those infected, 21.6% (8/37) had a history of upper GI bleeding.
- No GI complications occurred in H. pylori-negative patients.
- Infection incidence increased with age.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection is common and poses significant risks in heart valve surgery patients.
- The risk of serious upper GI bleeding is substantially higher in H. pylori-positive patients requiring anticoagulation.
- Preoperative or immediate postoperative H. pylori eradication is recommended for patients on indefinite anticoagulation.
Objective:
This study was designed to evaluate objectively the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection and upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients following heart valve replacement surgery. Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori, its association with gastritis, peptic ulceration and upper GI bleed have been extensively studied. Anticoagulation of patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses is a prerequisite for the prevention of valve thrombosis and thrombo-embolic events. However anticoagulation can have its complications, notably that of upper GI bleeding.
Methods:
Patients were assessed in routine postoperative outpatient clinics following cardiac valve replacement surgery. This assessment comprised initially of a questionnaire reflecting the symptomatology of upper GI bleeding and its subsequent management. With informed consent, a small sample of blood was obtained by stilette. The Helicobacter pylori status was assessed by measuring the presence of antibodies (immunoglobins) to Helicobacter pylori in a commercially available test kit, the Rapid Helisal Test. In this preliminary study 150 consecutive patients were scrutinised and their responses to the questionnaire were collected and compared with the Helisal test.
Results:
From the 150 patients studied, 37 patients were found to be positive to the Helisal test for Helicobacter pylori infection, representing 24.6% of all the cohorts. Of these 37 patients, eight gave a positive history of upper GI bleed; five requiring hospital admission with three requiring urgent upper GI endoscopy. Although these eight patients represent only 4.4% of the total group, it is significant to note that this represents 21.6% of those patients found to be Helicobacter pylori positive. There were no GI complications in any of those tested negative. There was an increasing incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the older age group of patients.
Conclusions:
Helicobacter pylori infection is a common infection with serious consequences in heart valve surgery. For those requiring anticoagulation, the incidence of serious consequential upper GI bleed is significantly higher in the presence of this infection. Preoperative or immediate postoperative eradication of the organism is mandatory in those patients requiring indefinite anticoagulation.