[Upper gastrointestinal bleeding after cardiac surgery and invasive cardiology procedures--prophylaxis and therapy].

: The abdominal complications after cardiac surgery prolong the hospitalization and increase the cost. The operative treatment of these complications is having high mortality rate--up to 85%. In this study we investigated the upper gastrointestinal bleeding: the causes, the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and the difficulties of the treatment. From January to December 2003, 724 cardiac operations were performed in University Hospital "Saint Ekaterina", Sofia 2771 angiographies, 594 angioplasties, and 874 stent implantations were done as well. 380 upper GI endoscopies were performed for this period. Upper GI bleeding was found in 27 cases. We used Somatostatin and Omeprasol treatment protocol in the cases of acute upper GI bleeding and for bleeding prophylaxis in patients with previously diagnosed stomach or duodenal erosions and ulcers. Endoscopic sclerotherapy was performed in 9 cases to achieve control of the bleeding. We had no relapses of the bleeding. No open surgical procedures were necessary, and we had no mortalities due to upper GI bleeding during the study period.