Prevention of stress-related ulcer bleeding at the intensive care unit: Risks and benefits of stress ulcer prophylaxis

Figure 1 Pathophysiology of stress-related mucosal disease and rationale for the routine use of proton pump inhibitor/histamine 2 receptor antagonists at the intensive care unit. NO: Nitric oxide; PPI: Proton pump inhibitor(s); H2RA: Histamine 2 receptor antagonists; HSP: Heat-shock proteins; HCO₃⁻: Bicarbonate.

Figure 2 Proposed algorithm for stress ulcer prophylaxis. For the different indications for SUP, the level of evidence is provided [A: Multiple randomized trials or meta-analysis, B: Single randomized or large non-randomized trial(s), C: Expert opinion or retrospective studies]. GI: Gastrointestinal; ICU: Intensive care unit; INR: International normalized ratio; NO: Nitric oxide; NSAID: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; PLT: Platelets; PTT: Partial thromboplastin time; SUP: Stress ulcer prophylaxis.