The uncleared fundal pool in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: implications and outcomes

Abstract

The inability to clear a fundal pool of blood at emergent upper endoscopy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Further, new fundal lesions can be identified in 41% of patients on follow-up examination, with many being clinically significant. These data support the importance of clearing a fundal pool in patients undergoing endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.