How to Stop Bleeding With a Balloon Tamponade Device

There is still a very good chance that you will be able to visualize exactly where this is coming from and stop the bleeding yourself. A balloon is a temperizing measure that has risks of things like esophageal perforation so I would favor using that as salvage therapy. Now in a patient where you don't know if it is very seal or perhaps you do know that they have a history of heresies either way then at that point balloon tamponade is a reasonable strategy but as long as there is an endoscopist who can come in then the first attempt should be one towards a durable solution for their bleeding.