Current surgery
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PURPOSE:Patients admitted with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding at our institution typically undergo diagnostic/therapeutic endoscopy. Surgery is consulted and operative intervention considered when the patient has reached a 6-unit transfusion requirement for resuscitation. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between number of units transfused and clinical outcome in patients admitted for gastrointestinal hemorrhage. ⋯ Seven deaths (20%) occurred among the 35 patients, 3 of whom had received more than 6 units of blood. Patients admitted with gastrointestinal hemorrhage who require less than 6 units of blood may have a lower chance of dying (15%) than do patients requiring more than 6 units of blood (38%). Emergent surgical intervention, even in high-risk patients, can be safely performed.