CT angiography for acute gastrointestinal bleeding: what the radiologist needs to know.

Acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common cause of both emergency department visits and hospitalizations in the USA and can have a high morbidity and mortality if not treated rapidly. Imaging is playing an increasing role in both the diagnosis and management of GI bleeding. In particular, CT angiography (CTA) is a promising initial test for acute GI bleeding as it is universally available, can be performed rapidly and may provide diagnostic information to guide management. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the uses of imaging in the diagnosis and management of acute GI bleeding, with a focus on CTA.