STRESS-ULCER PROPHYLAXIS - THE CASE FOR A SELECTIVE APPROACH

Although stress-related mucosal damage is common (and potentially seri ous) in critically ill patients, the risk of clinically significant ga strointestinal bleeding appears to be confined to patients with certai n factors: mechanical ventilation, coagulopathy, multiple trauma, incr eased intracranial pressure, and multiorgan dysfunction. Because proph ylactic therapy also poses risks, we advocate reserving it for patient s in these high-risk groups.