title: Management of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
abstract: Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage is a life threatening situation. Peptic ulcer disease, oesophageal varices and Mallory-Weiss tear are the major causes. Initial management usually includes hospital admission and, ideally, care by a specialized team involving Physician, Surgeon and Nursing Staff. Prompt and adequate blood replacement is the most important measure followed by diagnosis, usually based on flexible endoscopy. Specific treatment protocols for peptic ulcer and oesophageal varices aid definitive management. Prognosis is influenced by age, presence of complicating disease, aetiology and the severity of the bleed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D011379:Prognosis; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D011433:Propranolol