Diverticular disease-associated hemorrhage in the elderly

Abstract.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is frequent in the elderly secondary to diverticular disease and occurs in about 10–30%. It is the most frequent cause of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (about 40% of cases) followed by angiodysplasia (up to 20% of cases). The incidence of both diseases increase with age, but the patient's general condition and state of health decrease. Often cardiovascular morbidity coexists, resulting in an eventual risk of ischemic consequences. The intensity of bleeding varies from massive to occult. In diverticular disease, hemorrhage is caused by rupture or erosion of the vasa recti stretched by diverticula. Classically inflammation is absent. Although most diverticula (>90%) are located in the sigmoid colon, bleeding originates more frequently from the right (>50%) than the left colon. The preferred diagnostic tool following resuscitation is colonoscopy with an ability to locate the site of bleeding in up to 90% of cases. Additionally, injections and thermocoagulation are available to control bleeding endoscopically with a success rate of about 27%. Angiography is considerably variable concerning positive results (13.6–86%), has a complication rate of about 10% and is expensive. Hence, it is a second-line diagnostic method. Diverticular hemorrhage will cease spontaneously in about 90% of cases. Therefore, conservative treatment is preferred. Patients with persistent, massive or recurrent bleeding despite active conservative measures require surgical treatment. If surgical intervention is necessary, the site of hemorrhage must be sought to allow segmental resection. However, if the source of blood loss cannot be located, a subtotal colectomy is justified.