Abstracto

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Maxwell M Chait

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in patients with cirrhosis may be associated with lifethreatening complications similar to upper GI bleeding (UGIB). The incidence, cause and severity of LGIB in patients with cirrhosis correspond to the child-Pugh class, the increase in portal hypertension, coagulopathy, age-specific gastrointestinal diseases, co-morbid diseases and polypharmacy. Bleeding may be chronic and mild or severe and life threatening, requiring endoscopic, radiologic or surgical intervention.