The effect of ultrasonography and mini fluid challenge on mortality in patients with upper GIS bleeding presenting to the emergency department

Aim: This study was conducted to predict mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in the early period by calculating the left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT VTI) using ultrasonography (USG), a safe and non-invasive method, in the early period in patients presenting to the emergency department with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Materials and Methods: Patients who presented to the emergency department of Balıkesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital with upper gastrointestinal bleeding between 15.02.2024 and 15.02.2025 were included in our study. Cases were examined prospectively. Results: In our study, tachycardia and elevated troponin levels in patients with upper gastrointestinal system (GIS) bleeding were found to be associated with mortality (p<0.05). Increased urea levels and decreased hemoglobin (HGB) were observed to increase the need for erythrocyte suspension (ES) transfusion (p<0.05). In the patient group monitored by physical examination, aggressive fluid resuscitation and ES transfusion, given as a result of monitoring vital signs, lung sounds, and HGB, were found to be associated with mortality in the late period (p<0.05). The group of patients monitored with velocity time integral (VTI) allowed early prediction of fluid deficit through measurement of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) VTI. Conclusion: According to the findings of our study, the patient group monitored with VTI allows early prediction of fluid deficit by measuring LVOT VTI. A similar study has not previously been reported in the literature.