The European journal of surgery = Acta chirurgica
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Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in 978 unselected patients during a 9-year period was reviewed in regard to incidence, diagnosis, treatment and mortality rate. The annual incidence was 1/1,000 of the catchment population. The source of bleeding was established in 89% of cases. ⋯ The perioperative mortality was 13% and the overall mortality 6%. It is concluded that current treatment policy resulted in low rates of operation and mortality in these unselected cases of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The results support the theory that a hypercoagulable state in gastrointestinal bleeding is counteracted by citrated stored blood.