Elevated lactate level predicts intensive care unit admissions, endoscopies and transfusions in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background And Aims: Initial clinical management decision in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is often based on identifying high- and low-risk patients. Little is known about the role of lactate measurement in the triage of patients with acute GIB. We intended to assess if lactate on presentation is predictive of need for intervention in patients with acute GIB.

Digital Rectal Examination Reduces Hospital Admissions, Endoscopies, and Medical Therapy in Patients with Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Background: Although digital rectal examination is an established part of physical examinations in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding, clinicians are reluctant to perform a rectal examination. We intended to assess whether rectal examination affects the clinical management decision in these patients.

Methods: We performed a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study using data from electronic health records of patients aged ≥18 years presenting to the emergency department with acute gastrointestinal bleeding.