Management of upper gastro-intestinal tract bleeding.

Approximately half the patients who die from peptic ulceration do so because of the complication of bleeding. Mortality can be reduced by earlier diagnosis and treatment. All patients with upper gastro-intestinal tract bleeding should be transferred as soon as possible to centres where the necessary diagnostic and operative facilities are available. Cimetidine plays a role in the management of certain types of gastro-intestinal tract bleeding and endoscopy has been a major breakthrough in terms of accurate and early diagnosis.