DOES PRE-EXISTENT GASTRODUODENAL ULCER INCREASE GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY?

Objective: Controversy persists about the role of pre-existent gastro duodenal ulcer as a risk factor of upper gastro intestinal bleeding after cardiac surgery. This study aims to verify this hypothesis. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of alla patients who underwent open heart surgery between 1994 and 2012. Patients with previous gastro duodenal ulcer (n = 87) (GDU) compared to those without GDU (n = 1986). Results: Patients with GDU are older than control group (p = 0,000) and have more frequently cardiovascular risk factors than others. Coronary bypass grafting (CABG) was performed more in patients with a history of GDU (p = 0,039). Postoperative complications are frequently reported also. Additionally they have developed upper gastro intestinal bleeding (UGIB) more than control group (5,7% vs. 0,8% , p = 0,002). Conclusion: Pre-existent gastro duodenal ulcer should be the risk factor of upper GIB and optimal management requiring endoscopic diagnosis and treatment before CPB should prevent digestive hemorrhage.