Factors Associated with Mortality of Patients Undergoing Angiography for Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Acute massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding patients with negative endoscopic findings are frequently referred for emergent visceral angiography. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the factors associated with in-hospital mortality of these patients. The records of 97 consecutive patients who underwent emergent visceral angiography for acute massive GI bleeding between December 1998 and May 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analysis of relevant factors was performed to determine contributions of these factors to in-hospital mortality. The impact of treatment on survival was analyzed in relation to the pre-angiography levels of significant clinical factors. In-hospital mortality occurred in 41.2% (40 of 97) of patients. Multivariate analysis identified association of comorbidity (p = 0.006), coagulopathy (p < 0.001), and conservative treatment (p = 0.005) associated with higher mortality. Non-conservative treatment significantly improved survival of patient with comorbidity (p = 0.001) or without coagulopathy (p = 0.011). In patients undergoing angiography for massive gastrointestinal bleeding, presence of comorbidity and coagulopathy, and conservative treatment are associated with higher mortality.