EBQ:Nasogastric aspiration and lavage in emergency department patients with hematochezia or melena without hematemesis

incomplete Journal Club Article

Palamidessi N. et al. "Nasogastric aspiration and lavage in emergency department patients with hematochezia or melena without hematemesis". Academic Emergency Medicine. 2010. 17(2):126-32.
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Clinical Question

Is nasogastric lavage and aspiration in the ED an effective test to distinguish between an upper versus lower source of GI bleed in patients who have either melena or hematochezia without hematemesis?

Conclusion

Nasogastric aspiration has a poor diagnostic performance, and cannot be relied upon to rule out an UGIB as the source of bleeding.

Major Points

• While NG aspiration is commonly used in order to ascertain the source of bleeding (UGIB vs LGIB), its diagnostic utility in patients with hematochezia or melena without hematemesis is not supported by the literature.
• With included study sensitivities all below 90% and -LR's greater than 0.2, a negative NG aspirate or lavage should not be used to rule out UGIB, or change the clinical management of these patients.
• As the test is rated among the most painful procedures done in the ED, not without complications (0.3%-0.8%), its utility should be considered prior to placement.
• A coordinated plan between the ED & GI teams, as to whether the aspiration results will change EGD timing should be taken into consideration when a decision is made to place, or not place an NG.

Study Design

Systematic literature review. The authors identified 969 studies related to their question, 3 of which met inclusion criteria for the review.

Population

Patient Demographics

Varied, depending on the study.

1. Mean age: 66-73
2. Gender: 62-66% male

Inclusion Criteria

Cross sectional studies in which all patients presenting with melena or hematochezia underwent nasogastric aspiration (with or without lavage) followed by esophagogastroduodenal endoscopy (EGD).

Exclusion Criteria

Studies that included patients with esophageal varices, hematemesis, or coffee ground emesis.

Interventions

As this is a review article, the authors performed no interventions. In each study, all patients underwent nasogastric aspiration and EGD.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome

Accuracy of nasogastric aspiration in identifying an upper source of GI bleed.

Secondary Outcomes

Complications from nasogastric tube insertion, which occurred at a rate of 1.6% in one study.

Subgroup analysis

None.

Criticisms & Further Discussion

1. All three papers reviewed are retrospective cross-sectional studies, only one of which blinded data abstractors to outcomes.
2. All studies used a different reference or 'gold' standard (active bleeding on EGD vs. stigmata of recent bleeding, etc.)