Upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by an ulcer is a common condition with approximately 1,500 admissions a year. The mortality is roughly 9%, with an increased risk in elderly with multiple comorbidities. First-line treatment is endoscopic double therapy. If haemostasis is not achieved and/or repeated rebleeding occurs, the choice of treatment is transarterial embolisation (TAE) or traditional surgery. TAE has a higher rate of rebleeding than surgery, but the mortality is comparable, and TAE has fewer complications. Prophylactic TAE may reduce the rate of re-intervention in patients, who have a high risk of rebleeding.