Transfusion strategies for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

In patients with significant gastrointestinal haemorrhage, the use of a transfusion trigger of a haemoglobin level of 7 g/dL instead of 9 g/dL demonstrated a significant survival benefit (NNT 25) together with a significant reduction in rates of rebleeding, adverse events and use of blood products. Level of evidence: 2B (non-blind, single centre RCT with a risk of bias). © The Intensive Care Society 2013.