What are the benefits of endoscopy in upper GI bleeding?
• What is the place of other diagnostic approaches to upper GI bleeding? • What are the considerations in the decision as to whether to perform endoscopy? • What are the risks of endoscopy in the bleeding patient? The members of the Panel included individuals with many of the disciplinary skills involved in the evaluation and treatment of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. After hearing formal presentations and discussion, the Panel met to assess the issues based on the evidence heard. The results of the Panel’s deliberations are presented in the summary which follows. Introduction Upper GI bleeding is a common and serious medical problem. It has been estimated that in the United States each year approximately 115 patients per 100,000 population are hospitalized with episodes of upper GI bleeding. These events lead to approximately 250,000 new hospital admissions per year. The mortality from such bleeding, approximately 10%, has not decreased substantially over the past year
