Gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (GIH) may be subdivided by anatomical site ‘that is, upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGIH) or lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage (LGIH), or by mode of presentation’ acute or chronic, frank or occult. The mode of presentation may give clues as to the likely cause of the blood loss. Most pathologies leading to GIH can present either acutely, with frank blood loss and signs of circulatory compromise, or with a more insidious presentation. The latter may be with symptoms of either anaemia or related to the ongoing pathological process. This article will consider UGIH and LGIH separately, and the emphasis will be on the acute presentation, investigation and treatment.