Efficacy of Argon Plasma Coagulation for Bleeding Gastroduodenal Ulcers

Abstract

Background: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) can achieve an effective coagulation of large areas with a relatively shallow but well-controlled and uniform coagulation depth. There are only a few reports of APC therapy applied to bleeding peptic ulcers, especially ulcers with exposed vessels. Methods: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of APC as a means of achieving endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers. Thirty-nine patients having these ulcers were treated with APC. Results: The success rates for initial hemostasis and complete hemostasis with APC are 87% and 97.4%, respectively. These results are almost equal to those of injection therapy and hemoclip. Six cases that re-bled after other hemostatic procedures obtained complete hemostasis finally with APC. In one ineffective case of APC, complete endoscopic hemostasis was achieved with hemoclip. Conclusion: Argon plasma coagulation therapy is an effective therapeutic alternative in endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding peptic ulcers.