| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial |
| Participants |
50 patients with acute severe upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage
Mean age = 62
Exclusion: patients with oesophageal varices due to abnormal coagulation |
| Interventions |
1) ≥ 2 units of blood in first 24 hr (n=24)
2) No blood transfusion during first 24 hr (n=26) |
| Outcomes |
coagulation times haematocrit re‐bleeding rate volume of blood given death |
| Notes |
5/26 patients in the no‐blood group received blood in the first 24 hours when their Hgb < 8g/dl.
Results were analysed as randomised on an intention‐to‐treat basis. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Low risk |
Allocation by opening sealed envelopes |
