Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis

Stress ulcer is a gastrointestinal mucosal injury. It may vary from diffuse superficial injuries to deep haemorrhag- ing ulcerations. Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is defined as prevention of gastrointestinal mucosal injury related to critical illness. There is a relationship between severity of disease and incidence of ulceration, but nearly 90% of ventilated ICU patients will have gastric mucosal erosions by day 3 of ICU admission, and 50% of them will develop ulcerations, as proven by endoscopy. ICU patients who develop major gastrointestinal bleeds have a high mortal- ity rate, varying between 48% and 87%.