Project description:Introduction Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in an elderly patient. Case presentation A 73-year-old female with erosive gastritis, hypertension, and unstable angina arrived at the emergency department with shortness of breath, easy fatigability, and melaena. Physical examination indicated pallor but no signs of distress, with an unremarkable systemic examination. Routine blood testing indicated anemia. The patient underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed linear red ectatic vessels radiating from the antrum towards the body. A diagnosis of GAVE was made. Blood transfusions and argon plasma coagulation were undertaken. Clinical discussion This condition is an uncommon cause of upper GI bleeding with the antrum being the most prevalent site. The pathophysiology of GAVE is yet unknown, however, many hypotheses have been postulated. GAVE is frequently misdiagnosed as gastritis. GAVE treatment comprises initial resuscitation and symptomatic treatment with intravenous fluids and blood products. Endoscopy has increasingly been the first-line therapeutic option for GAVE in recent years, including argon plasma coagulation. Conclusion The diagnosis of gastric antral vascular ectasia is frequently overlooked during upper GI endoscopy, despite the fact that it should always be explored, especially in cases of unexplained GI bleeding in the elderly. Highlights • An unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in an elderly patient.• Frequently misdiagnosed as gastritis.• Linear red ectatic vessels radiating from gastric antrum towards the body.• Argon plasma coagulation is a good treatment modality.
Project description:Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is one of the uncommon causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Major treatment of GAVE includes pharmacotherapy, endoscopy, and surgery. The efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy have not been sufficiently confirmed; and surgery is just considered when conservative treatment is ineffective. By comparison, endoscopy is a common treatment option for GAVE. This paper reviews the currently used endoscopic approaches for GAVE, mainly including argon plasma coagulation (APC), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and endoscopic band ligation (EBL). It also summarizes their efficacy and procedure-related adverse events. The endoscopic success rate of APC is 40-100%; however, APC needs several treatment sessions, with a high recurrence rate of 10-78.9%. The endoscopic success rates of RFA and EBL are 90-100% and 77.8-100%, respectively; and their recurrence rates are 21.4-33.3% and 8.3-48.1%, respectively. Hyperplastic gastric polyps and sepsis are major adverse events of APC and RFA; and Mallory-Weiss syndrome is occasionally observed after APC. Adverse events of EBL are rare and mild, such as nausea, vomiting, esophageal or abdominal pain, and hyperplastic polyps. APC is often considered as the first-line choice of endoscopic treatment for GAVE. RFA and EBL have been increasingly used as alternatives in patients with refractory GAVE. A high recurrence of GAVE after endoscopic treatment should be fully recognized and cautiously managed by follow-up endoscopy. In future, a head-to-head comparison of different endoscopic approaches for GAVE is warranted.
Project description:Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE) may be an enigmatic source of non-variceal upper GI bleeding associated with various systemic diseases such as connective tissue disorders, liver disease, and chronic renal failure. Successful treatment of GAVE continues to be a challenge and has evolved through the years. Currently, given the rapid response, safety, and efficacy, endoscopic ablative modalities have largely usurped medical treatments as first-line therapy, particularly using argon plasma coagulation. However, other newer ablative modalities such as radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, and band ligations are promising. This paper is an overview of GAVE and its various endoscopic and medical therapies.
Project description:BACKGROUND: It is believed that severe portal hypertensive gastropathy probably accounts for most non-variceal bleeding episodes in patients with cirrhosis. Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) also occurs in these patients. It is not clear whether it is a variant of portal hypertensive gastropathy or a distinct condition. PATIENT: A patient, a 66 year od woman, with cirrhosis initially diagnosed as having portal hypertensive gastropathy and subsequently classified as GAVE is described. She required transfusion with a total of 130 units of packed red cells for gastrointestinal blood loss. RESULTS: The bleeding did not respond to portal decompression with TIPS or beta blockers. Following treatment with oral tranexamic acid she has not required further blood transfusion over a period of 30 months. CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid may be a useful treatment for refractory bleeding due to gastric antral vascular ectasia in patients with cirrhosis.
Project description:BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a known cause of gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic iron deficiency anemia. Endoscopic therapy with argon plasma coagulation (APC) is widely used for treatment of GAVE, but most patients continue to require repeated blood transfusions and multiple endoscopic procedures (refractory GAVE). We describe our initial experience regarding safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy in treating patients with refractory GAVE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled seven patients with refractory GAVE who had multiple prior treatments with APC. These patients were treated with RFA (HALO90 ULTRA Ablation Catheter System; Covidien, GI Solutions, Sunnyvale, CA) at Ertan Digestive Disease Center at our tertiary University Hospital. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent a total of 12 RFA procedures for treatment of refractory GAVE. The median number of RFA procedures was 2 (Range, 1 - 3). Average pre- and post-procedural hemoglobin were 9.3 g/dL and 10.16 g/dL, respectively. Five of seven patients (71 %) were transfusion-free after the RFA treatments while two patients continued to require blood transfusions. There were no complications in this series. CONCLUSION: RFA can be an effective alternative to APC for treatment of GAVE refractory to previous endoscopic therapy. Additional studies are needed to identify which subset of patients will benefit the most with RFA treatment.
Project description:Background and study aims While argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the first-line treatment for gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), endoscopic band ligation (EBL) has shown promising results. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of EBL for the treatment of GAVE. Methods Individualized search strategies were developed in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines through September 1, 2020. Measured outcomes included endoscopic success (defined as GAVE eradication/improvement), change in hemoglobin, transfusion dependency, number of treatment sessions, adverse events, rebleeding, and bleeding-associated mortality. Outcomes were compared among studies evaluating EBL versus APC. Results Eleven studies (n = 393; 59.39 % female; mean age 58.65 ± 8.85 years) were included. Endoscopic success was achieved in 87.84 % [(95 % CI, 80.25 to 92.78); I 2 = 11.96 %] with a mean number of 2.50 ± 0.49 treatment sessions and average of 12.40 ± 3.82 bands applied. For 8 studies comparing EBL (n = 143) versus APC (n = 174), there was no difference in baseline patient characteristics. However, endoscopic success was significantly higher for EBL [OR 6.04 (95 % CI 1.97 to 18.56; P = 0.002], requiring fewer treatment sessions (2.56 ± 0.81 versus 3.78 ± 1.17; P < 0.001). EBL was also associated with a greater increase in post-procedure hemoglobin [mean difference 0.35 (95 % CI 0.07 to 0.62; P = 0.0140], greater reduction in transfusions required [mean difference -1.46 (95 % CI -2.80 to -0.12; P = 0.033], and fewer rebleeding events [OR 0.11 (95 % CI, 0.04 to 0.36); P < 0.001]. There was no difference in adverse events or bleeding-associated mortality ( P > 0.050). Conclusions EBL appears to be safe and effective for treatment of GAVE, with improved outcomes when compared to APC.
Project description:BackgroundGastric antral vascular ectasia is an infrequent cause of gastrointestinal-related blood loss manifesting as iron-deficiency anemia or overt gastrointestinal bleeding, and is associated with increased healthcare burdens. Endoscopic therapy of gastric antral vascular ectasia most commonly involves endoscopic thermal therapy. Endoscopic band ligation has been studied as an alternative therapy with promising results in gastric antral vascular ectasia.AimsThe primary aim was to compare the efficacy of endoscopic band ligation and endoscopic thermal therapy by argon plasma coagulation for the management of bleeding gastric antral vascular ectasia in terms of the mean post-procedural transfusion requirements and the mean hemoglobin level change. Secondary outcomes included a comparison of the number of sessions needed for cessation of bleeding, the change in transfusion requirements, and the adverse events rate.MethodsPubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were reviewed. Randomized controlled clinical trials and retrospective studies comparing endoscopic band ligation and endoscopic thermal therapy in bleeding gastric antral vascular ectasia, with a follow-up period of at least 6 months, were included. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager.ResultsOur search yielded 516 papers. After removing duplicates and studies not fitting the criteria of selection, five studies including 207 patients were selected for analysis. Over a follow-up period of at least 6 months, patients treated with endoscopic band ligation had significantly lower post-procedural transfusion requirements (MD -2.10; 95% confidence interval (-2.42 to -1.77)) and a significantly higher change in the mean hemoglobin with endoscopic band ligation versus endoscopic thermal therapy (MD 0.92; 95% confidence interval [0.39-1.45]). Endoscopic band ligation led to a fewer number of required sessions (MD -1.15; 95% confidence interval [-2.30 to -0.01]) and a more pronounced change in transfusion requirements (MD -3.26; 95% confidence interval [-4.84 to -1.68]). There was no difference in adverse events.ConclusionResults should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited literature concerning the management of gastric antral vascular ectasia. Compared to endoscopic thermal therapy, endoscopic band ligation for the management of bleeding gastric antral vascular ectasia led to significantly lower transfusion requirements, showed a trend toward more remarkable post-procedural hemoglobin elevation, and a fewer number of procedures. Endoscopic band ligation may improve outcomes and lead to decreased healthcare burden and costs.
Project description:ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence and clinical correlates of endoscopic gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE; "watermelon stomach") in early diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsSubjects with early, diffuse SSc and evidence of specific internal organ involvement were considered for the Scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide Or Transplant (SCOT) trial. In the screening procedures, all patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were then categorized into those with or without endoscopic evidence of GAVE. Demographic data, clinical disease characteristics, and autoantibody data were compared using Pearson chi-square or Student t tests.ResultsTwenty-three of 103 (22.3%) individuals were found to have GAVE on endoscopy. Although not statistically significant, anti-topoisomerase I (anti-Scl70) was detected less frequently among those with GAVE (18.8% vs 44.7%; p = 0.071). Similarly, anti-RNP antibodies (anti-U1 RNP) showed a trend to a negative association with GAVE (0 vs 18.4%; p = 0.066). There was no association between anti-RNA polymerase III and GAVE. Patients with GAVE had significantly more erythema or vascular ectasias in other parts of the stomach (26.1% vs 5.0%; p = 0.003).ConclusionEndoscopic GAVE was present on screening in almost one-fourth of these highly selected patients with early and severe diffuse SSc. While anti-Scl70 and anti-U1 RNP trended toward a negative association with GAVE, there was no correlation between anti-RNA Pol III and GAVE. Patients with GAVE had a higher frequency of other gastric vascular ectasias outside the antrum, suggesting that GAVE may represent part of the spectrum of the vasculopathy in SSc.
Project description:BackgroundEndoscopic band ligation (EBL) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have emerged as alternative therapies of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in addition to endoscopic thermal therapy (ETT), but the optimum choice remains inconclusive.AimWe conducted a meta-analysis in order to compare these three treatments for GAVE.MethodsWe searched the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials without any language restrictions and also performed a manual literature search of bibliographies located in both retrieved articles and published reviews for eligible publications prior to December 8, 2021. We included comparative trials which had evaluated the efficacy and safety of interventions in adults (aged ≥ 18 years) diagnosed with symptomatic GAVE and was confirmed according to clinical backgrounds and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We included reports that compared three interventions, ETT, EBL, and RFA. The study was comprised of adults diagnosed with GAVE and focused on overall mortality, bleeding cessation, endoscopic improvement, complications, hospitalization, hemoglobin improvement, number of sessions and transfusion requirements.ResultsTwelve studies were performed involving a total of 571 participants for analysis. When compared with ETT, EBL achieved better bleeding cessation (OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.36-14.77, p = 0.01), higher hemoglobin improvement (MD 0.57, 95% CI 0.31-0.83, p < 0.01) and lower number of sessions (MD - 1.44, 95% CI - 2.54 to - 0.34, p = 0.01). Additionally, EBL was superior to ETT in endoscopic improvement (OR 6.00, 95% CI 2.26-15.97, p < 0.01), hospitalization (MD - 1.32, 95% CI - 1.91 to - 0.74, p < 0.01) and transfusion requirement (MD - 2.66, 95% CI - 4.67 to - 0.65, p = 0.01) with statistical significance, with the exception of mortality (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.19-1.77, p = 0.34) and complication rate (OR 5.33, 95% CI 0.58-48.84, p = 0.14).ConclusionFor GAVE, we suggest that EBL be initially recommended, and APC and RFA be used as alternative treatment choices based upon a very low quality of evidence.
Project description:To evaluate long-term endoscopic resolution and recurrence rate of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) after argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment.This was an IRB-approved retrospective single center study that included patients endoscopically treated for GAVE between 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2014. The primary and secondary end points of the study were rate of endoscopic resolution of GAVE after APC treatment and recurrence rate of GAVE after endoscopic resolution, respectively. Endoscopic resolution of GAVE was defined as no endoscopic evidence of GAVE after treatment with APC. Recurrence of GAVE was defined as endoscopic reappearance of GAVE after prior resolution.Twenty patients met the study criteria. Median age (range) of the patients was 59.5 years (42-74 years). GAVE was associated with underlying cirrhosis in 16 (80%) patients. Indications for initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) included hematemesis and/or melena (9/20, 45%), iron deficiency anemia (6/20, 30%), screening or surveillance of varices (4/20, 20%), and occult gastrointestinal bleeding (1/20, 5%). The patients were treated with a total of 55 APC sessions (range 1-7 sessions). Successful endoscopic resolution of GAVE was achieved in 8 out of 20 patients (40%). There was no correlation between number of treatment sessions and GAVE treatment success (P = NS). Recurrence of GAVE was noted on a subsequent EGD in 2 out of 8 patients (25%) with prior endoscopic resolution of GAVE. Median follow-up period for the study population was 627 d (range 63-1953 d).Endoscopic resolution rate of GAVE was low (40%) with a 25% recurrence rate after treatment with APC. These rates suggest that APC treatment of GAVE may not be optimal in many circumstances.