Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia Research Articles

Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: Resolution of Bleeding and Stabilization of Hematocrit Following Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: Resolution of Bleeding and Stabilization of Hematocrit Following Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Recurrent gastric antral vascular ectasia: a single center experience.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of chronic or acute gastrointestinal bleeding. This condition accounts for ∼4% of upper gastrointestinal bleeding cases. This disease is often associated with systemic diseases, such as liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney failure, autoimmune conditions, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and cardiovascular diseases. However, its etiopathogenesis remains controversial. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of GAVE treated at our digestive surgery unit. A total of nine patients were identified with a male/female ratio of 1.25:1 and an average age of 75.51 years (SD ± 9.85). All patients underwent endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment. At the time of the review, data on eight patients were available after 36 months of follow-up. APC appears to be safe and effective for hemostasis of bleeding vascular ectasia. Only one (11.1%) patient required surgical intervention due to hemodynamic instability after multiple unsuccessful endoscopic treatments. No intraoperative and postoperative complication or bleeding relapse was experienced. Based on our findings, we concluded that endoscopic APC is technically simple, but requires multiple re-interventions due to the incidence of relapses. Furthermore, larger randomized studies should be conducted to assess the role of elective surgery as the first intervention in stable patients with severe pathology and the timing of surgery after failed endoscopic treatment.

Navigating Diagnostic Challenges: Chronic Anemia Leading to the Diagnosis of Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE) in the Absence of Typical Symptoms

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare acquired vascular dysplasia usually associated with portal hypertension or CREST syndrome. Here we present a case of a 62-year-old female with no significant related comorbidities who presented to our clinic due to severe acute on chronic anemia. On initial review of systems, the only complaint the patient had was fatigue, shortness of breath and being lightheaded. Patient denied hematochezia or melena, no hematemesis or other gastrointestinal complaints, no history of NSAIDs or aspirin use. Initial labs were significant for iron-deficiency anemia with hemoglobin of 8.5 g/ dL. Recent colonoscopy was non diagnostic for the cause of anemia as well. Due to unrevealing previous workup patient was referred to gastroenterologist and undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with findings of ecstatic vessels in stomach antrum suggestive of GAVE, successfully treated with argon plasma coagulation. Total in a span of 4 years due to recurrence of anemia patient required 3 EGDs, while GAVE was successfully treated each time with argon plasma coagulation. Due to absence of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints patient was recommended to have regular laboratory workup to monitor for silent blood loss. This atypical presentation of upper GI bleeding warrants physicians to refer patients to gastroenterologists to perform EGD for further evaluation and treatment in cases of unknown etiology of iron deficiency anemia even in the absence of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints and non-revealing previous GI workup with colonoscopy

Global characteristics and trends of researches on watermelon: Based on bibliometric and visualized analysis

Watermelon is an important horticultural plant. A bibliometric analysis of the watermelon literature was carried out in order to analyze the research state, hotspots, and trends, as well as to highlight the overall watermelon research development from a holistic viewpoint. The summary of watermelon research is given via metrological analysis based on a set of indices using a newly built Bibliometrix R-package tool. This study gathered 6,632 documents indexed in the Core Collection of Web of Science (WoS) in the domain of watermelon from 1992 to 2022 using bibliometrix. The results indicated that the number of published articles showed an apparently upward trend. The United States was in the first place, with Plant Disease being the most productive journal. Levi A from the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service is the most prolific author, and Levi A is the most cited; The most frequently used keywords by authors are "growth", "resistance", "identification", "yield", "quality" "plants", "watermelon stomach" and "expression"; The most talked-about issues in this subject are resistance, yield, and quality, which highlight the crucial research areas. To effectively comprehend the turning moments for future research, it is useful to monitor the hotspots and frontiers of watermelon studies. The results highlight the future paths for study in the field of watermelon and provide useful information for researchers interested in the topic.

Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia As a Manifestation of Liver Graft Versus Host Disease Responsive to Ruxolitinib

Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia As a Manifestation of Liver Graft Versus Host Disease Responsive to Ruxolitinib

214 - Efficacy of argon plasma coagulation in managing gastric antral vascular ectasia: a case report

214 - Efficacy of argon plasma coagulation in managing gastric antral vascular ectasia: a case report

Gastric antral vascular ectasia, also known as watermelon stomach - diagnosis and treatment

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), also referred to as watermelon stomach is a rare disease accounting for about 4% of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It can manifest as occult bleeding requiring transfusion or acute gastrointestinal bleeding. This condition often coexists with liver cirrhosis, autoimmune diseases, heart failure, in patients post-bone marrow transplantation, or kidney failure. It is crucial to differentiate GAVE from portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), because despite a similar clinical presentation, the treatment for these conditions is different.
 Endoscopic diagnosis is necessary and in some cases, it may require further investigation and histopathological examination of the biopsy. Treatment is administered to patients with bleeding symptoms. Currently, the most commonly used treatment method is endoscopic thermal ablation using argon plasma coagulation.
 The focus of this work is to present essential information regarding the clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of watermelon stomach.

«Арбузный» желудок — редкая причина хронической железодефицитной анемии

Aim. Demonstration of the rare in general medical practice cause of iron deficiency anemia in a patient with acute and chronic blood loss from vascular ectasias of the gastric mucosa. Key points. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common diseases in the world. The most common cause of anemia in gastroenterological practice is chronic or acute blood loss. Gastric antral vascular ectasia, or GAVE syndrome, is the cause of 4% nonvariceal bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of the disease requires careful endoscopic and histological examination to differentiate GAVE from similar changes (e.g. portal hypertensive gastropathy) and to choose the correct treatment ways. The presented clinical case demonstrates the difficulties of diagnosing the disease in a polymorbid patient, refractory to endoscopic treatments. Conclusion. GAVE syndrome is a rare but clinically significant cause of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. GAVE syndrome may be asymptomatic or accompanied by a clinical picture of anemia or obvious bleeding. Endoscopic treatment using argon plasma coagulation is considered first-line therapy in patients with GAVE syndrome, but most authors confirm the high rate of recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding after the procedure. The presented clinical case clearly demonstrates a difficult path to the diagnosis of GAVE syndrome, which was finally verified after 7 years of follow-up of a patient with severe, refractory to the therapy iron deficiency anemia, only when a typical endoscopic picture of vascular ectasias in the antrum of the stomach organized in radial bands — the “watermelon” stomach was formed. At the same time, even the use of modern endoscopic treatment methods was not effective. Keywords: iron deficiency anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, “watermelon” stomach, GAVE syndrome.

Clinicoetiological profile of patients with gastrointestinal bleed presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleed is a common cause of medical emergency resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. GI bleeding can be classified as upper (bleeding source proximal to the ligament of Treitz) and lower (bleeding source distal to the ligament of Treitz). Aims and Objectives: The present study was aimed to determine the current clinicoetiological profile of GI bleeding in Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand. Materials and Methods: All patients presented with GI bleed (GIB) to outpatient department and Emergency department or developed the GIB during hospitalization are managed in intensive care unit (preferably) and high-dependency unit. Results: Both upper and lower GI endoscopy were twice normal in 2.7% of patients (obscure bleeding). On upper GI endoscopy findings showing esophageal varices (45.83%), gastroesophageal varices (8.33%), isolated gastric varices (8.33%), gastric ulcer (8.33%), duodenal ulcer (6.25%), Mallory-Weiss tear (6.25%), erosive gastritis (6.25%), gastric antral vascular ectasia (4.16%), gastric carcinoma (4.16%), and Dieulafoy’s lesion (2.08%). Upper GIB (UGIB) had more mortality than lower GIB, among UGIB variceal bleed having higher mortality than non-variceal bleeding. Conclusion: Unlike the evidence from the west that peptic ulcer is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, we found varices as the common cause, followed by peptic ulcer and erosive gastritis. Hence, the variable spectrum of the etiology of the GIB seen in our country could represent either a true epidemiological difference or reflect skewed access to health care.

THE USE OF ARGON PLASMA COAGULATION IN ENDOSCOPY

Relevance: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a minimally invasive, non-contact electrosurgery method. This procedure is performed in the following conditions: bleeding in hollow organs, including ulceration after radiation therapy, Barrett’s esophagus, with the germination of a malignant tumor through a stent, benign neoplasms, precancerous conditions, some malignant tumors at the earliest stages. In this article, the authors present the first and successful experience of the use of APC in Kazakhstan during endoscopic interventions in patients with various pathologies.
 The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the introduction of APC as an endoscopic treatment in patients with precancerous pathology and complications of surgical treatment in oncological patients.
 Methods: A retrospective analysis of the use and effectiveness of AIC was carried out in 15 patients with various pathologies who were on inpatient treatment at the National Research Oncology Center (NROC, Astana, Kazakhstan) during 2022.
 Results: Barrett’s esophageal APC was successfully performed in the NROC hospital in 6 patients, no signs of intestinal-type metaplasia of the esophageal epithelium were detected in the biopsy material. Two patients with post-radiation hemorrhagic proctitis underwent coagulation in Pulse 15Wt mode and argon flow of 0.4-1.0 L/min. A patient with the GAVE syndrome with hemorrhages underwent 2 sessions of APC in 35Wt mode with a gas flow of 0.8 L/min. In 3 patients with fistulas of the suture of the main bronchus, coagulation was performed after pulmonectomy and closure of the fistula was observed for 1 week. Two patients with esophagoenteroanastomosis failure underwent 2 sessions of APC using 40-watt argon with an interval of 5 days. After anterior rectal resection, the patient had a failure of anastomosis with a multi-chamber cavity and the presence of purulent contents. 4 courses of APC were conducted with an interval of 2 weeks, after the APC, the mouth of the main chamber narrowed, the discharge of pus stopped, as a result, there was a blind pocket up to 2.0 cm without additional chambers and signs of inflammation.
 Conclusion: The presented article describes the results of the introduction of APC as an endoscopic method of treating patients with various pathologies in an oncological clinic, and based on these results, APC can be recommended for widespread implementation throughout Kazakhstan.

Inpatient Outcomes of Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia in Those With Aortic Stenosis: A Retrospective Study of 85,000 Hospitalizations.

To investigate the outcomes of hospitalized patients with gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in the setting of aortic stenosis (AS). Although AS is associated with gastrointestinal arteriovenous malformations, its association with GAVE, a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, remains unknown. The National Inpatient Sample database from the years 2016 to 2019 was searched for patients admitted with a diagnosis of GAVE, with and without a history of AS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk of mortality and in-hospital complications in the GAVE/AS group compared with the GAVE-only group. Patients with AS had a 2-fold increase in the risk of GAVE [odds ratio (OR): 2.08, P < 0.001], with no statistically significant difference in inpatient mortality between the study groups (OR: 1.36, P = 0.268). Patients with GAVE-AS had a higher risk of hypovolemic shock (OR: 2.00, P = 0.001) and acute coronary syndromes (OR: 2.25, P < 0.001) with no difference in risk of cardiogenic shock (P = 0.695), acute kidney injury (P = 0.550), blood transfusion (P = 0.270), sepsis (P = 0.598), respiratory failure (P = 0.200), or in-hospital cardiac arrest (P = 0.638). The cost of care in patients with GAVE-AS was increased by a mean of $4729 (P = 0.022), with no increase in length of stay (P = 0.320) when compared with patients with GAVE-only. Patients with AS have a 2-fold increase in the risk of development of GAVE. Patients with AS admitted for GAVE-related bleeding are at higher rates of hypovolemic shock, acute coronary syndrome, and higher resource utilization when compared with admitted patients with GAVE without AS.

S1848 Comparative Analysis of Etiology, Characteristics, Treatment, and Outcomes in Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

S1848 Comparative Analysis of Etiology, Characteristics, Treatment, and Outcomes in Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

S3077 Unusual Case of Recurrent Anemia in an Elderly Man: Concurrent Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia and Cecal Arteriovenous Malformations

S3077 Unusual Case of Recurrent Anemia in an Elderly Man: Concurrent Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia and Cecal Arteriovenous Malformations

S797 Factors Associated With Single vs Multiple Argon Plasma Coagulation Treatments for Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Nationwide Study

S797 Factors Associated With Single vs Multiple Argon Plasma Coagulation Treatments for Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Nationwide Study

Study the Efficacy of Argon Plasma Coagulation or Endoscopic Band Ligation versus Their Companion in Management of Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia in Cirrhotic Patients

Abstract Background Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare and often misdiagnosed cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding accounts for up to 4% of all non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleedings. Multiple options are available for the treatment of GAVE including endoscopic, surgical and medical therapies. Aim of the Work The aim of this study to evaluate the effect of APC followed by EBL in comparison to APC or EBL alone for the treatment of bleeding GAVE in cirrhotic patients. Patients and Methods We conducted this study on 45 adult cirrhotic patients with overt or occult bleeding from GAVE. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 15 patients in each group. Group I was treated with APC alone, group II was treated with EBL alone and Group III was treated with APC followed by EBL. Results In the current study, no statistically significant difference was detected between both groups regarding the etiology of liver cirrhosis, clinical presentation, laboratory or ultrasound findings with special emphasis on pre-treatment hemoglobin value, hospitalizations. APC alone was found to was found to be less effective in the treatment of GAVE when compared to both techniques (EBL and the combined therapy) which were effective in the treatment of GAVE and GAVE recurrence. EBL alone was found to require less number of treatment sessions but required more number of rubber bands and. Combined therapy (APC followed by EBL) successfully decreased the number of banding sessions and decreased the number of rubber bands required to treat GAVE. Conclusion Combined therapy (APC followed by EBL) and EBL alone are effective methods in the treatment of bleeding GAVE in Egyptian cirrhotic patients. EBL alone requires less number of treatment sessions but may require a big number of applied rubber bands. Combined therapy (APC followed by EBL) successfully decreased the number of banding sessions and decreased the number of rubber bands required to treat GAVE. So, in mild cases when less number of rubber bands seems to be required, it is advisable to start with EBL alone: while in severe cases where a large number of rubber bands seems to be required, it is advisable to use combination therapy of APC and EBL.

Diagnostic Approach and Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Anemia in Chronic Liver Disease—An Overview

Hematological abnormalities are frequently linked to chronic liver disease of any etiology. About 75% of patients with advanced chronic liver disease experience anemia. The causes of anemia are complex and multifactorial, particularly in cirrhotic patients. Acute and long-term blood loss from the upper gastrointestinal tract, malnutrition, an enlarged spleen brought on by portal hypertension, hemolysis, and coagulation issues are the main causes of anemia. Alcohol, a common cause of chronic liver disease, determines anemia through direct toxicity on the bone marrow, with the suppression of hematopoiesis, through vitamin B6, B12, and folate deficiency due to low intake and malabsorption. In patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, antiviral drugs such as pegylated interferon and ribavirin can also cause significant anemia. The use of interferon has been linked to bone marrow toxicity, and hemolytic anemia brought on by ribavirin is a well-known dose-dependent side effect. Within six months of the infection with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and Epstein–Barr viruses, aplastic anemia associated with hepatitis is seen. This anemia is characterized by pancytopenia brought on by hypocellular bone marrow. Esophageal varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, and gastric antral vascular ectasia can all cause acute and chronic blood loss. These conditions can progress to iron deficiency anemia, microcytic anemia, and hypochromic anemia. Another common hematologic abnormality in liver cirrhosis is macrocytosis, with multifactorial causes. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency are frequent in liver cirrhosis, especially of alcoholic etiology, due to increased intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and malnutrition. Many chronic liver diseases, like viral and autoimmune hepatitis, have a chronic inflammatory substrate. Proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1, 6, and 10, are the main factors that diminish iron availability in progenitor erythrocytes and subsequent erythropoiesis, leading to the development of chronic inflammatory, normochromic, normocytic anemia.

Nintedanib-Induced Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

ABSTRACT Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. However, its association with nintedanib use, antifibrotic therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has not been reported. We present 2 cases of GAVE that were presumed to be secondary to nintedanib use in patients with IPF. Both patients experienced anemia, one of which had hematemesis. GAVE diagnosis was confirmed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Moreover, successful treatment was achieved with endoscopic argon plasma coagulation. These cases highlight the importance of considering GAVE as a potential cause of anemia and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with IPF receiving nintedanib.

An Exceptional Presentation of “Watermelon Stomach” in a 30- Year-Old Cirrhotic Male

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an unusual cause of chronic upper gastrointestinal bleeding commonly described in elderly females, with associated autoimmune diseases, and in cirrhotic males. The entity is characterized by angioectasia in the pyloric antrum, giving its classic streaky “watermelon stripe” appearance. This report highlights the rare presentation of a 30-year-old male with liver cirrhosis, who presented with anemia and fatigability. Diagnosis of GAVE was made using endoscopy, and trials of argon plasma coagulation were administered. Following this, an antrectomy was performed since there was a further drop in hemoglobin. The patient made a full recovery with no subsequent dependence on blood transfusions. GAVE can be mistakenly underdiagnosed as a treatable cause of occult gastrointestinal bleeding. This report mandates caution on endoscopy for younger patients with an upper gastrointestinal bleed while taking other more common causes of gastrointestinal bleeding (peptic ulcers, esophageal varices, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAID]-induced gastritis) into account.

Surgical treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia. Clinical case

A clinical case of a 67-year-old patient suffering from severe iron deficiency anemia, caused by gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), is described. This type of gastric angiodysplasia is characterized by a distinct endoscopic picture and is a rare cause of gastric bleeding. Endoscopic hemostasis is considered the main method of treatment, however, after argon plasma coagulation (APC), in our case, anemia recurred, and required repeated hospitalization and blood transfusion. Indications for surgical treatment were established, and Billroth I antrumectomy proved to be effective in refractory GAVE.

A Practical Approach to the Management of Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia.

1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA 2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA aGuarantor of the article: Dr. Michael Kriss, MD [email protected]