The Role of Interventional Radiology in the Management of Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding

This review article is intended to serve as an introductory reference to the clinical management of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) by interventional radiologists. This article focuses on the role of the nursing staff participating alongside the interventional radiologist in the patients' care. A discussion regarding presentation of GIB, workup, and postendoscopic role of interventional radiology (IR) is presented. Special emphasis is placed on the postprocedural care issues that are relevant specifically to nursing staff as they relate IR. Several sample cases are provided to illustrate common etiologies, presentations, and clinical management of GIB, with special emphasis on the role of IR.