Gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage is a common and potentially lethal medical emergency and is a common cause for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage accounts for at least 300,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States.<sup>63 Friedman L.S., Martin P. The problem of gastrointestinal bleeding Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1993 ;  22 : 717-721

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The mortality associated with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding has remained constant for the past 50 years at 7% to 10%.<sup>63 Friedman L.S., Martin P. The problem of gastrointestinal bleeding Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1993 ;  22 : 717-721

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Several factors account for this persistently high mortality, including the increasing percentage of elderly patients presenting with gastrointestinal hemorrhage<sup>132 Rockall T.A., Logan R.F., Devlin H.B. , e al. Incidence and mortality from acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in the United Kingdom: Steering Committee and Members of the National Audit of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage BMJ 1995 ;  311 : 222-226

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> and the generally greater number of comorbid conditions in the elderly.<sup>16 Bogoch A. Bleeding from the alimentary tract Bockus Gastroenterology Philadelphia: WB Saunders (1995).  61-86

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Prompt recognition of gastrointestinal bleeding and rapid assessment of bleeding severity are important for prompt resuscitation.<sup>177 Yavorsky R.T., Wong R.K.H., Maydonovitsh C. , e al. Analysis of 3,294 cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in military medical facilities Am J Gastroenterol 1995 ;  90 : 568-573

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> A team approach to severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage with close cooperation between the intensivist, gastroenterologist, surgeon, and invasive radiologist helps optimize patient management and improve survival.<sup>109 Lichtenstein D.R., Berman M.D., Wolfe M.M. Approach to the patient with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage Gastrointestinal Emergencies Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins (1997).  99-129

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> This article presents the intensivist's approach to gastrointestinal hemorrhage in initial patient assessment, triage, resuscitation, and diagnostic evaluation. This article focuses on types of GI bleeding of particular concern to the intensivist, including esophageal variceal bleeding, stress-related GI bleeding, and GI bleeding associated with myocardial infarction.