The Efficacy of Bedside Colonoscopy for Critically Ill Patients with Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Most studies on acute gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage of intensive care unit (ICU) patients have focused on upper GI hemorrhage (UGIH), but reports on acute lower GI hemorrhage (LGIH) with the role of bedside colonoscopy are still lacking. Therefore, we determined the clinical characteristics of acute LGIH in ICU patients and the efficacy of bedside colonoscopy in ICU setting. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 76 ICU patients who underwent bedside colonoscopy for acute LGIH between January 2005 and December 2007. The clinical characteristics of the patients, the outcomes of colonoscopy, and the clinical course after colonoscopy were investigated. RESULTS: Of 76 patients, 43 patients (56.6%) were males and the median age was 67 years. End-stage renal diseases were the most common underlying diseases, followed by cardiovascular diseases. Cecal intubation was possible in 18 patients (23.7%) and bleeding foci were identified in 41 patients (53.9%). The two main causes of bleeding were rectal ulcers (48.8%) and ischemic colitis (22.0%). Endoscopic treatments were successful in 12 patients (15.8%), and there was only 1 case of rebleeding after 7 days. There were no severe complications associated with bedside colonoscopy; 3 patients (3.9%) died of uncontrolled LGIH during hospital period. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside colonoscopy is effective and safe for the diagnosis of acute LGIH in ICU patients. In addition, endoscopic treatment can be successfully performed in select patients. Therefore, in acute LGIH of ICU patients, bedside colonoscopy can be performed as a first-line procedure.