233 Capsule Endoscopy (CE) in Persons Presenting With Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage (UGIH) - A Prospective Cohort Study

Use of capsule endoscopy in the emergency department as a triage of patients with GI bleeding

“…In a previous cohort study, we reported that CE detected 9 cases of fresh blood or "coffee grounds" in the duodenum, whereas nasogastric tube aspirate was reported to be bilious or clear in 7 of these 9 cases. 6 We concluded that in an ED setting, CE is feasible and safe in patients presenting with acute UGIB. CE may facilitate patient triage and earlier endoscopy.…”

Future Development of Capsule Endoscopy

“…Promising results have been achieved using oesophageal CE to risk-stratify patients presenting to the ED with upper GI bleeding in the hope of allowing early discharge. CE detected dyspeptic/inflammatory lesions comparable to OGD in one study [19], while a further reported 88 % sensitivity and 65 % specificity for CE ability to detect fresh blood in the upper GI tract. 25 % of patients with normal OGD in this study had a positive CE suggesting lesions can be overlooked with both techniques [20].…”

The role of capsule endoscopy in acute gastrointestinal bleeding

“…Gralnek and colleagues studied 41 patients who underwent real-time capsule endoscopy up to 6 h from their arrival at the emergency room due to acute upper GI bleeding [Gralnek et al 2013]. Capsule findings were compared with the prognostic and diagnostic yield of nasogastric aspirate and EGD.…”