Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the ICU: Review

2024 REVISE trial adds data on benefits, though theoretical risk of harm persists

Ulcerations of the gastrointestinal tract (so-called stress ulcers) occur asymptomatically in as many as 75% of critically ill patients. Clinically significant bleeding from stress ulcers occurs much less commonly, in 1-3% of critically ill patients—which is far more often than in general hospitalized patients (~0.3%).

The low incidence of bleeding stre…