Zdravniški Vestnik (Dec 2006)
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (gave) – case report
Abstract
Background: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), or »watermelon stomach« is a rare but important cause of gastrointestinal blood loss and anaemia, and has characteristic endoscopic and histological features. The pathogenesis of this condition remains unclear. The goal in treating a patient with gastric antral vascular ectasia should be the complete elimination of transfusion requirements. Various medical, surgical and endoscopic therapeutic modalities have been attempted with variable success. Currently available evidence favours endoscopic therapy using argon plasma coagulation or Nd: YAG laser.Patients and methods: A case of 77-year-old women with gastric antral vascular ectasia is presented who was transfusion dependent due to recurrent anaemia despite iron supplements. She was successfully treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC). Two years after treatment she didn’t have anaemia and no need for transfusion.Conclusions: It is widely belived that GAVE is under-recognized and is most often misinterpreted as antral gastritis. Although rare, it is an important cause of occult upper gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly in elderly women.
