title: Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.
abstract: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a frequent reason for hospitalization especially in the elderly. Patients with LGIB are frequently admitted to the intensive care unit and may require transfusion of packed red blood cells and other blood products especially in the setting of coagulopathy. Colonoscopy is often performed to localize the source of bleeding and to provide therapeutic measures. LGIB may present as an acute life-threatening event or as a chronic insidious condition manifesting as iron deficiency anemia and positivity for fecal occult blood. This article discusses the presentation, diagnosis, and management of LGIB with a focus on conditions that present with acute blood loss.
authors.affiliation: Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Junior Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Qayed
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53188, USA.
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dagar
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Fellowship Program, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Suite E 5200, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. Electronic address: Rnanchal@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: Rahul S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Nanchal
mesh_terms: D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003113:Colonoscopy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D041741:Lower Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Angiography; Colonoscopy; Diverticulosis; Lower gastrointestinal bleeding