Management of acute bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage is common. Patients require simultaneous resuscitation and clinical assessment followed by referral for endoscopy. There have been significant developments in terms of the acute endoscopic and medical treatment of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, as well as the development of prognostic tools to help guide management. Preventing recurrent haemorrhage is also important. This requires an understanding of both the aetiology and risk factors for recurrence, as well as the medical and endoscopic treatments available to reduce these risks.