The management of oesophageal bleeding disorders remains a challenging problem in the emergency department. Oesophageal varices are dilated veins; they are most commonly a result of portal hypertension and are often associated with a poor outcome.¹ Haemorrhage from oesophageal varices is a life-threatening emergency with a mortality rate of 30–50%. Approximately 90% of patients with cirrhosis will develop varices, of which bleeding occurs in 25–35%.² Balloon tamponade is one of the methods for temporary control of acute variceal haemorrhage and works by directly compressing the varices at the bleeding site. Placement of a …