Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is usually a medical emergency which needs appropriate medical and endoscopic treatment.

The incidence of this disorder is between 48 to 180 patients in each 100,000 adult per year in USA. Although medical and endoscopic treatment has been improved recently but the mortality rate of this disorder has not significantly changed, and the mortality rate is about 5%-10%.The prevalence of UGIB is growing regarding to increase in patients age and comorbid illnesses such as cardiovascular and renal disease. The other etiology is increase in use of drugs like NSAID and aspirin.

Proper evaluation and treatment of patients with UGIB is necessary to improve the outcome of patients.

In this study we review the initial approach and treatment of patients with overt UGIB.

Keywords: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, Hematemesis, Melena, Hematochezia, Evaluation and treatment