If you’ve spent any time in endoscopy, you know the pressure. The scope’s ready, the patient’s fasting (hopefully), the gastro fellow is excited, and the nurse has already opened the disposable bite block.
But wait—before you shove that endoscope down someone’s esophagus like it’s a routine BP check, ask yourself:
Is the situation actually SPACIOUS enough for this procedure? 🧐
Endoscopy Contraindications Mnemonic with Explanations
| Letter | Contraindication | Reason for contraindication |
|---|---|---|
| S | Shock | Risk of worsening hypotension, arrhythmias. |
| P | Perforation (known/suspected) | Air insufflation may lead to peritonitis/sepsis. |
| A | Acute MI | Endoscopy stress can trigger arrhythmias or worsen ischemia. |
| C | Coma (unless intubated) | High aspiration risk without airway protection. |
| I | Instability (medical/hemodynamic) | Poor tolerance to sedation and procedure stress. |
| O | Overall uncooperative/unfit | Unsafe without cooperation or consent. |
| U | Unsure diagnosis (e.g., possible perforation) | Scoping may worsen undiagnosed perforation or instability. |
| S | Severe illness (e.g., fulminant colitis) | Fragile bowel risks perforation with scope or insufflation. |
🏥 Real-Life Example from my Hospital
Last winter, I saw a middle-aged man from Panjgur referred for an urgent upper GI scope due to suspected variceal bleeding. Pulse: 140. BP: 70/40. Cold peripheries. I was halfway into donning my gown when Dr. Imran Baloch walked into the room and muttered:
“You planning to scope him into the grave, Aurangzaib?” 😅
And rightly so. Patient was in shock. The correct step? Stabilize. Resuscitate. Then consider scope.
📚 Need more mnemonics that actually work in practice? Let me know, as I have got a whole stash of cool medical mnemonics! 🙂
