23rd July 2023

A 73-year-old patient with known alcohol-related liver cirrhosis presents with haematemesis

A 73-year-old patient with known alcohol-related liver cirrhosis presents with haematemesis. He has no other past medical history.

Observations: RR 18/min, oxygen saturations 96% on room air, HR 98 bpm, BP 112/68 mmHg, T 37.4°C.

Blood results:

• Haemoglobin 63 g/L (130-180g/L)
• Platelets 89 x 10⁹L (140-400 x 10⁹L)
• Fibrinogen 1.9 g/L (1.5-4.5 g/L)
• INR 1.2 (1.0-1.3)

You suspect he is having a variceal haemorrhage.

Which of the following options would be the most appropriate initial management?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.