Pitfalls in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common life-threatening medical emergency. Whilst the evidence base for optimum management is well defined in published guidelines, a large UK audit revealed deficiencies and inequalities in service provision that almost certainly contribute to a crude hospital mortality that has not improved in more than sixty years. Attention to critical areas in the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway could improve outcome for patients and reduce the risk of litigation for hospitals and individual practitioners.