GI Bleed and Myocardial Ischemia Myocardial ischemia or infarction occurs in up to 20% of patients with significant UGI bleeds. For reasons that are uncertain, the majority of these patients have "silent" MIs (i.e. no pain). It's also unclear whether these patients develop MI purely because of hypoperfusion or because the stress causes a plaque to rupture and thrombose. Whenever you have a patient with a massive UGIB, get an ECG early, regardless of whether or not the patient is having chest pain, and if it's concerning, get cardiology involved early as well. anecdote--I've seen 2 patients with STEMI in the presence of an UGIB, one at Mercy and one at UMMS; neither had chest pain; both got transfused, seen by GI, and went cath within several hours; the takeaway--get both consultants involved EARLY!
