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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1998;13:637-640
© 1998 Elsevier Science NL

Helicobacter pylori and upper gastrointestinal bleed in heart valve surgery¹

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The London Chest Hospital, Bonner Road, London E2 9JX, UK

Received 30 September 1997; received in revised form 3 March 1998; accepted 18 March 1998.

Corresponding author. 118 Faber Terrace, Singapore 129069, Singapore. Tel.: +65 7778935; fax: +65 8729364; e-mail: liewwliik@hotmail.com

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate objectively the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection and upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients following heart valve replacement surgery. Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori, its association with gastritis, peptic ulceration and upper GI bleed have been extensively studied. Anticoagulation of patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses is a prerequisite for the prevention of valve thrombosis and thrombo-embolic events. However anticoagulation can have its complications, notably that of upper GI bleeding. Methods: Patients were assessed in routine postoperative outpatient clinics following cardiac valve replacement surgery. This assessment comprised initially of a questionnaire reflecting the symptomatology of upper GI bleeding and its subsequent management. With informed consent, a small sample of blood was obtained by stilette. The Helicobacter pylori status was assessed by measuring the presence of antibodies (immunoglobins) to Helicobacter pylori in a commercially available test kit, the Rapid Helisal Test. In this preliminary study 150 consecutive patients were scrutinised and their responses to the questionnaire were collected and compared with the Helisal test. Results: From the 150 patients studied, 37 patients were found to be positive to the Helisal test for Helicobacter pylori infection, representing 24.6% of all the cohorts. Of these 37 patients, eight gave a positive history of upper GI bleed; five requiring hospital admission with three requiring urgent upper GI endoscopy. Although these eight patients represent only 4.4% of the total group, it is significant to note that this represents 21.6% of those patients found to be Helicobacter pylori positive. There were no GI complications in any of those tested negative. There was an increasing incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the older age group of patients. Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori infection is a common infection with serious consequences in heart valve surgery. For those requiring anticoagulation, the incidence of serious consequential upper GI bleed is significantly higher in the presence of this infection. Preoperative or immediate postoperative eradication of the organism is mandatory in those patients requiring indefinite anticoagulation.

Key Words: Helicobacter pylori • Upper gastrointestinal bleed • Anticoagulation

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				A. Poullis and M. Poullis Helicobacter pylori and cardiac surgery Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., July 1, 2001; 20(1): 217 - 218. [Full Text] [PDF]