Mallory-Weiss syndrome
ICD-10 K22.6 · ICD-11 DA26.3

Treatment of Mallory-Weiss Syndrome in Patients with a History of Coronary Artery Disease

Managing Mallory-Weiss syndrome in patients with established coronary artery disease requires careful consideration of treatment selection, as certain standard interventions carry added cardiovascular risk in this population.

Clinical Scenario

This protocol addresses Mallory-Weiss syndrome in the specific context of a patient with a history of coronary artery disease. The presence of this underlying cardiac condition directly influences which therapeutic options are safe and appropriate.

Due to the risk of ventricular tachycardia from systemic absorption, certain vasoactive agents used in standard bleeding management should be avoided in patients with a history of coronary artery disease.

Surgical Approach — Partial Overview

When earlier interventional options have been exhausted, surgery is considered as a last resort. The approach involves accessing and directly repairing the gastric laceration — either through an open abdominal procedure or a minimally invasive endoscopy-guided technique.

The complete structured regimen, including the full sequence of interventions, decision criteria, and step-by-step management, is available via the link below.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2025.23.3.0177

However, due to systemic absorption, epinephrine may cause ventricular tachycardia, so it should be avoided in patients with a history of coronary artery disease.

Surgery is rarely required and is considered a last resort following failed endoscopic or angiographic interventions.

If no duodenal or gastric lesions are found, a wide gastrostomy is performed via laparotomy.

Mallory-Weiss lacerations at the gastric cardia are readily visible and can be repaired using running catgut sutures.

Endoscopy-guided laparoscopic suturing of the tear has demonstrated excellent outcomes.

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