In the world of gastroenterology, few situations are as urgent as an active upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. When a peptic ulcer erodes into a blood vessel, it can cause rapid, life-threatening blood loss. This is a critical emergency where collaboration between hospitals and the immediate availability of a specialist can make the difference between life and death.
This case study highlights how Kaizen Care, led by Dr. Sitendu Kumar Patel, serves as a specialized referral center in Bilaspur, providing advanced therapeutic endoscopy to manage critical cases and support the wider medical community.
Table of Contents
The Emergency Referral: A Patient in Critical Condition
A middle-aged man was admitted to another hospital in Bilaspur after several episodes of vomiting large amounts of red blood (hematemesis) and passing black, tarry stools (melena). He was pale, dizzy, and had a rapid heart rate—all classic signs of significant blood loss.
His history revealed chronic stomach pain that he had been self-treating with over-the-counter antacids, a common practice that can mask the severity of an underlying [Internal Link: Peptic Ulcer Disease]. The primary hospital stabilized him with IV fluids and blood transfusions, but recognized that the active bleeding required urgent, specialized intervention beyond the scope of their immediate capabilities.
Understanding a Bleeding Ulcer: A Medical Emergency
A bleeding peptic ulcer is a medical emergency. The continuous loss of blood can lead to:
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Anemia: A sharp drop in red blood cells.
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Hypovolemic Shock: A life-threatening condition where severe blood loss prevents the heart from pumping enough blood to the body.
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Death, if left untreated.
While initial stabilization is key, the bleeding must be stopped at its source.
The Challenge: A Critical Bleed Requiring Specialist Intervention
The referring hospital made the critical decision to transfer the patient for an emergency procedure. The challenge for Dr. Sitendu Kumar Patel was to:
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Accept the patient on an emergency basis.
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Use the advanced facilities at Kaizen Care to precisely locate the bleed.
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Deploy a therapeutic technique to stop the bleeding immediately and non-surgically.
The Solution: Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy at Kaizen Care
Upon arrival at Kaizen Care, the patient was taken for an urgent
Upper GI Endoscopy
. This was not just a diagnostic look; it was a life-saving intervention.
The Diagnostic Phase: Pinpointing the Source
Under sedation, Dr. Patel guided the endoscope into the patient's stomach and duodenum. The high-definition camera quickly revealed a large ulcer in the duodenum with an actively spurting artery at its base—the source of the massive bleed.
The Therapeutic Phase: Stopping the Bleed
With the target identified, the therapeutic part of the procedure began. Dr. Patel used a multi-modal approach:
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Epinephrine Injection: First, a small needle was passed through the endoscope to inject diluted epinephrine around the bleeding vessel. This helps to constrict the vessel and slow the bleeding.
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Hemoclipping: Next, a specialized device was used to deploy several tiny metallic clips (hemoclips) directly onto the bleeding artery. These clips act like stitches, mechanically closing the vessel and stopping the blood flow.
The Outcome: A Life Saved and Collaborative Care
The endoscopic procedure was immediately successful, and the active bleeding was completely controlled.
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Post-Procedure: Once stable, the patient was transferred back to the referring hospital for continued monitoring and medical management.
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Continuity of Care: Dr. Patel remained involved in the patient's care, visiting him at the other hospital for consultations and rounds to ensure a smooth recovery.
The patient received treatment to heal the underlying ulcer and was discharged a few days later, having been saved from a life-threatening hemorrhage without requiring a single surgical cut, all thanks to a seamless collaboration between medical facilities.
The Modern Standard of Care for Bleeding Ulcers
This case perfectly illustrates the modern, collaborative approach to emergency medical care. Today, over 90% of bleeding ulcers can be successfully treated endoscopically. This approach offers tremendous benefits over surgery, including:
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Less pain and a faster recovery time.
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Lower risk of complications.
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Avoidance of a large abdominal incision.
A Hub of Endoscopic Expertise in Bilaspur: Why It Matters
This case highlights Kaizen Care's role as a vital center for advanced therapeutic endoscopy in the region. The ability to accept emergency referrals and provide life-saving, minimally invasive procedures is critical for the entire medical ecosystem.
Dr. Sitendu Kumar Patel's expertise ensures that patients and referring physicians in Bilaspur and across Chhattisgarh have access to a trusted specialist for the most critical and complex gastrointestinal emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Bleeding Ulcers
What are the main warning signs of a bleeding ulcer?
The most critical signs are vomiting blood (which can be red or look like coffee grounds) and passing black, tarry stools. Dizziness, weakness, and shortness of breath are also signs of blood loss. These symptoms require an immediate trip to the emergency room.
What causes an ulcer to start bleeding?
An ulcer is an open sore. It starts to bleed when the erosion from the sore deepens and breaks through the wall of a blood vessel in the stomach or duodenal lining.
Will I need surgery if I have a bleeding ulcer?
In the vast majority of cases today, the answer is no. Advanced endoscopic techniques, like the ones used in this case, are successful in controlling the bleeding in most patients. Surgery is reserved for rare cases where endoscopic treatment is not successful.
