GI emergencies: Rapid therapeutic responses for older patients

Comorbid conditions and decreased physiologic reserves make persons age 65 and older particularly vulnerable to the adverse consequences of acute bloo d loss. Thus, gastrointestinal bleeding in this population presents an, urg ent clinical challenge. Treatment of such emergencies may be the purview of the gastroenterologist, but the primary care physician can play a key role in, the preliminary diagnosis and management, timely referral for emergenc y intervention, and follow-up care. Because of age-related changes, includi ng decreased cardiovascular reserve and a higher risk of hemorrhage, any ev idence of GI bleeding in an older patient demands diligent intervention.