Use of heparin in the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the administration of heparin improves the predictive value of angiography in the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.


METHODS
18 patients with a history of chronic GI bleeding were investigated with angiography. For 6 patients, the cause of GI bleeding was established with angiography; the 12 patients who had negative results were given heparin for 24 h and were reassessed with angiography.


RESULTS
After heparin administration, the source of GI bleeding was determined with angiography for 6 of the remaining 12 patients. Thus, heparinization increased diagnostic yield from 33% (6 of 18) to 67% (12 of 18). No significant complications, such as uncontrolled GI bleeding, occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Heparinization improves the diagnostic yield of angiography when obscure GI bleeding is being investigated.
Mernagh
J R
JR
Department of Radiology, McMaster University Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5. mernaghj@mcmaster.ca
O'Donovan
N
N
Somers
S
S
Gill
G
G
Sridhar
S
S
D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006493:Heparin
D006493:Heparin