Long-term effect of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE).

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS:

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a distinct vascular abnormality, mainly involving the gastric antrum. It is a rare but well-known cause of occult gastrointestinal bleeding. Various endoscopic treatment modalities have been tried in this condition. The aim of the study is to show the long-term effect of argon plasma coagulation (APC) on GAVE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Twenty-nine patients with endoscopically proved GAVE were enrolled in the study. Clinical assessment of GAVE patients, haemoglobin (Hb) level and transfused blood units were recorded after APC using 60-80-W power setting. A second session was done 1month after the therapeutic procedure to ensure complete ablation of all lesions.

RESULTS:

The documented Hb levels and number of blood units transfused 3months after APC were recorded. At endoscopy, all patients had the classic type of GAVE. The mean Hb level increased from 7.5±1.7gdl(-1) before APC to 10.2±0.8gdl(-1) after APC (p value <0.001). The transfusion requirements significantly decreased to 0.2±0.5units/patient (p value <0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Endoscopic APC is a safe, effective and inexpensive modality in treating GAVE and could be an alternative to the currently available endoscopic methods.

• Authors: Mazen Naga, Serag Esmat, Mohamed Naguib, Heba Sedrak
• Journal: Arab journal of gastroenterology : the official publication of the Pan-Arab Association of Gastroenterology (Arab J Gastroenterol) Vol. 12 Issue 1 Pg. 40-3 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 2090-2387 [Electronic] Egypt
• PMID: 21429455 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Arab Journal of Gastroenterology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Hemoglobins

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Argon Plasma Coagulation
• Blood Transfusion
• Female
• Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (complications, diagnosis, surgery, therapy)
• Gastroscopy
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Time
• Treatment Outcome