title: [Stress ulcer or pneumonia: effect of prevention with H2 blockers on gastric juice pH].
abstract: In a study with 30 consecutive ventilated patients in a surgical ICU, the course of gastric pH was measured for 24 h. Cimetidine, 1.2 g per 24 h, was given to prevent stress bleeding. In the course of the evaluation period complete alkalization was found in only 4/30 patients (high responders); 10/30 patients showed no alkalization of gastric juice to above pH 4; and in 16/30 patients irregular pH changes were observed. These results suggest that the risk of developing pneumonia under this regimen will only be elevated in the high responder group. Although the alkalization of gastric juice was incomplete in our group, we saw no evidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. There is evidence that alkalization is not the only mechanism involved in successful prevention of bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Allgemeine und Theoretische Chirurgie, Philipps-Universität Marburg.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lindlar
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stinner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rothmund
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lorenz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D002927:Cimetidine
vernacular_title: Stressulkus oder Pneumonie: Einfluss der H2-Blockerprophylaxe auf den Magensaft-pH.