Review article: transfusion in gastrointestinal haemorrhage - if, when and how much?

Despite the conventional wisdom that blood transfusion is of use in acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, this review proposes that there is considerable doubt about the optimal timing and intensity of transfusion of blood and crystalloids in this setting. It advocates the need for controlled trials to identify the most appropriate timing and intensity of transfusion of patients with acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage.