A Closer Look into Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Heart Failure Patients

Background: The frequency and risk factors for gastrointestinal bleed (GIB) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have not been extensively researched.

Objective: We aim to assess the frequency of GIB in this subset of patients and identify potential risk factors for bleeding. This study will evaluate the frequency of commonly used antiplatelet and anticoagulation agents in the HFrEF population, as well as look at some of the endoscopic features of the GIB.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 670 patients admitted between November 2021 to August 2023 to a single urban, tertiary teaching institution with acute HFrEF ICD-10 codes. Upper or lower GIB (hematemesis, coffee ground emesis, melena or hematochezia during admission) was identified on a manual chart review. Patients with GIB were defined as our cases. No GIB was defined as our controls. Sub analysis included comparing the use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet between the cohort. Independent t test assessed statistical differences in the case and control groups RESULTS: Out of the 670 patients, 134 (20%) were identified with GIB. The cases were older than the controls (median age 77 vs. 70 years) (p = 0.001), had a lower hemoglobin (9 g/dL vs. 12 g/dL) (p =<0.05), and had higher BNP levels (7,938 pg/ml vs. 6472 pg/ml) (IQR: 3,239, 23,701) (p =<0.01). Among the anticoagulant users, 64% of cases were on an anticoagulant compared to 42% of the controls (p<0.05). Among the antiplatelet users, 68% of the controls were on one or more antiplatelet agents, compared to 52% in the controls (p = 0.01). When combining AC and AP treatment, there was no statistical difference between cases and controls. Ninety-three (69%) patients from cases had cross-sectional imaging with only 23 (25%) showing abnormal findings which included diverticulosis, colitis, and GI masses. When comparing upper endoscopy findings, the presence of esophageal diseases (esophagitis and esophageal varices) and gastric/duodenal diseases (gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and AVM) were significantly higher in cases compared to controls (p < 0.05). In addition to the colonoscopy findings, polyps and diverticulosis were more prevalent in the cases compared to the controls (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Heart failure patients are at risk of developing GIB. Age and high BNP on admission are risk factors for GIB, the higher the BNP levels the higher risk of GIB. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet use are associated with a higher risk of bleeding. However, the addition of dual antiplatelet therapy or concurrent antiplatelet and anticoagulation does not increase the risk of GIB. Some of the most common upper endoscopy findings include esophagitis/gastritis and esophageal/gastric ulcer. In terms of colonoscopy, findings include colonic mass, diverticulosis and hemorrhoids.