Timing of endoscopy in patients with elevated lactate levels and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding; a retrospective comparative study

Scand J Gastroenterol. 2024 Apr;59(4):512-517. doi: 10.1080/00365521.2023.2298355. Epub 2023 Dec 27.

Abstract

Background/aims: While current guidelines recommend performing endoscopy within 24 h in case of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB), the precise timing remains an issue of debate. Lactate is an established parameter for risk stratification in a variety of medical emergencies. This study evaluated the predictive ability of elevated lactate levels in identifying patients with UGIB, who may benefit from emergent endoscopy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with elevated lactate levels, who presented to our emergency department between 01 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 due to suspected AUGIB.

Results: Of 134 included cases, 81.3% had an Charlson comorbidity index of ≥3 and 50.4% presented with shock. Fifteen (11.2%) patients died and mortality rates rose with increasing lactate levels. Emergent endoscopy within 6 h (EE) and non-EE were performed in 64 (47.8%) and 70 (52.2%) patients, respectively. Patients who underwent EE had lower systolic blood pressure (107.6 mmHg vs. 123.2 mmHg; p = 0.001) and received blood transfusions more frequently (79.7% vs 64.3%; p = 0.048), but interestingly need for endoscopic intervention (26.6% vs 20.0%; p = 0.37), rebleeding (17.2% vs. 15.7%; p = 0.82) and mortality (9.4% vs. 11.4%; p = 0.7) did not differ significantly.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings support the recommendations of current guidelines to perform non-EE after sufficient resuscitation and management of comorbid illnesses.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal bleeding; endoscopy; lactate; risk assessment.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage* / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Lactic Acid