Restrictive vs liberal transfusion for upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Table 2 Eligibility criteria of included studies

Ref.	Eligibility criteria
Blair et al[25]	Consecutive patients with acute severe upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage were prospectively randomized on arrival to receive during their first 24 h in hospital
	Only known cases of oesophageal varices were excluded as they frequently have abnormal coagulation due to liver disease
Elizalde et al[24]	The study population consisted of patients with cirrhosis of the liver admitted for the management of an acute variceal bleeding episode
	Only patients in whom hemostasia had been achieved within the previous 24-72 h by means of endoscopic sclerotherapy, and who were still anemic (hematocrit < 30%) and normovolemic as defined by clinical parameters (systolic pressure > 100 mmHg, right atrial pressure > 2 cm H2O, heart rate < 100 beats/min, and urine output > 0.5 mL/kg per hour) were eligible for the study
	Age < 18 or > 80 yr, renal failure as defined as serum creatinine > 2 mg/dL, portal thrombosis, diffuse or multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma, arterial hypertension, peripheral vasculopathy, previous surgical or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, bacterial infection, and use of vasoactive drugs to prevent or treat portal hypertension-related bleeding were considered exclusion criteria
Villarejo et al[23]	Inclusion criteria: acute high digestive haemorrhage with stable haemodynamics and any aetiology; age > 15 yr old
	Exclusion criteria: history of angina; shock not responsive to volume expansion; requirement of surgery; established renal insufficiency; poliglobulina; bleeding diathesis; acute or chronic liver dysfunction; chronic anemia; pregnancy; sepsis; acute or chronic respiratory failure; haematocrit < 20% on admission; religious objection to transfusion
Villanueva et al[14]	Patients older than 18 yr of age who had hematemesis (or bloody nasogastric aspirate), melena, or both, as confirmed by the hospital staff, were considered for inclusion
	Patients were excluded if they declined to undergo a blood transfusion
	Additional exclusion criteria: massive exsanguinating bleeding, an acute coronary syndrome, symptomatic peripheral vasculopathy, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or transfusion within the previous 90 d; a recent history of trauma or surgery; lower gastrointestinal bleeding; a previous decision on the part of the attending physician that the patient should avoid specific medical therapy; and a clinical Rockall score of 0 with a hemoglobin level >12 g/dL