Acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with an incidence of 50–150 per 100,000 for upper GI bleeds, and a mortality of 11% in those admitted to hospital with a gastrointestinal haemorrhage, which rises to 33% in those who develop an upper GI haemorrhage whilst in hospital. Direct endoscopic intervention is the first-line treatment for upper GI haemorrhage, whereas in lower GI haemorrhage, endoscopy is more frequently used to direct surgical intervention. Prophylaxis, undertaken in high-risk, critically ill patients resolves the incidence of upper GI haemorrhage and associated complications within the ICU.