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In this study we examined factors of possible prognostic value about outcome in a consecutive series of 2217 patients with hematemesis and melena. Death occurred in 189 (8.5%) patients, and 243 (11%) patients experienced rebleeding. Death was significantly associated with rebleeding, age over 60 years, and the finding of blood in the stomach at endoscopy. Rebleeding was significantly associated with melena, identification of a gastric or duodenal ulcer, endoscopic stigmata of hemorrhage such as blood, clot, and active bleeding, and the finding of shock at admission. However, female gender, previous history of ulceration, or indigestion of ulcerogenic drugs, especially nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, were poor predictors of either death or rebleeding. We conclude that the identification of patients at a high risk could contribute to improved management of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, including early therapeutic intervention.

We describe our novel technique of Pump Controlled Retrograde Trial Off that relies on the retrograde flow to maintain circuit integrity and allow a longer trial off from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support without circuit clot formation or significant patient hemodynamic compromise. This technique avoids the insertion of an arteriovenous bridge and the need to clamp the circuit. We present data on five neonatal patients who were trialled off using this method.

A case-control study was performed to determine whether aspirin confers a similar risk of bleeding from gastric or duodenal ulcers in the elderly as nonaspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The intake of analgesics in 230 patients with bleeding ulcers aged 60 and over and in hospital and community controls matched for age and sex was examined. Those who had taken aspirin were between two and three times more likely to be admitted to hospital with bleeding ulcers. This increased risk was not accounted for by aspirin taken for indigestion or by concurrent use of non-aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A similar effect was not seen for paracetamol.When aspirin and other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs were considered together the overall risk attributed to the drugs suggested that these drugs may be responsible for over a third of admissions for bleeding peptic ulcers in the elderly. IntroductionWe have found that bleeding from gastric or duodenal ulcers in patients aged 60 and over is strongly associated with the use of non-aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.' Aspirin has also been associ-

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