Doppler Ultrasound Stratification of High-Risk Stigmata in Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

Stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) have long been used to stratify the risk for rebleeding in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB). Could use of Doppler endoscopic ultrasound probe (DEP) improve risk stratification?

Investigators prospectively evaluated 163 consecutive patients hospitalized with severe PUB using an audible DEP before and after endoscopic therapy to determine the presence and location of bleeding vessels. Endoscopic therapy was provided to patients with major stigmata of recent hemorrhage (spurting, oozing, visible vessel, adherent clot). Patients received subsequent proton-pump inhibitor therapy based on the stigmata type. The 30-day rebleeding rate was compared for spurting and oozing lesions.

An arterial source was id…