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Forrest classification of upper GI bleeding

Endoscopic stigmata and rebleeding risk in peptic ulcer bleeding.

Forrest classification of upper GI bleeding
Endoscopic finding
ResultForrest III - clean base

Low-risk stigmata: endoscopic therapy is generally not required.

Untreated rebleeding risk
~5 %

When to use

  • Describing endoscopic stigmata of a bleeding peptic ulcer to guide haemostatic therapy and disposition.

Formula

Class I active bleeding (Ia spurting, Ib oozing); Class II recent bleeding (IIa visible vessel, IIb adherent clot, IIc flat spot); Class III clean base. Rebleeding risk falls from ~55% (Ia/Ib) to ~5% (III).

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Forrest Ia-IIa lesions warrant endoscopic haemostasis; IIc and III can usually be managed without endoscopic therapy.

References

  1. Forrest JA, Finlayson ND, Shearman DJ. Lancet. 1974;2(7877):394-7.