Stress ulcer prevention

Stress ulcer prevention refers to the strategies employed to reduce the risk of gastric mucosal injury in critically ill patients, often through the use of pharmacological agents like proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists. This is crucial in clinical practice as stress ulcers can lead to significant morbidity, including gastrointestinal bleeding, which complicates patient management and prolongs hospital stays. Early identification of at-risk patients is essential for effective prevention.