Abstract
Background and Aim : The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features and the efficacy of endoscopic treatments in treating gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in association with liver diseases.
Methods : Thirty-four patients with the characteristic endoscopic findings of GAVE were enrolled. Endoscopic treatments were performed for all 34 patients, including argon plasma coagulation (APC) in 22 patients and endoscopic band ligation (EBL) in 12 patients.
Results : All 34 patients had iron-deficiency anemia and 21 patients also had a history of tarry stools. The underlying pathologies of chronic liver diseases were liver cirrhosis in 26 patients, cirrhosis associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in 6, and idiopathic portal hypertension 2. The liver function was classified by Child-Pugh classification : class A (n=6), class B (n=21), and class C (n=7). Antral motility was frequent and intense in all 34 GAVE patients. APC was performed in 22 patients, and endoscopies revealed the recurrence of GAVE in 15 patients requiring further treatment by APC (recurrence rate : 68.2%). Seven patients died during the follow-up period, including 2 cases with bleeding-related deaths. EBL was performed in 12 patients, and during endoscopies revealed the recurrence of GAVE in 1 patient requiring further treatment by EBL (recurrence rate : 8.3%). Two patients died during the follow-up period, neither were bleeding-related deaths.
Conclusions : The results suggest that GAVE is related to severe liver damage and portal hypertension. APC has a high recurrence rate of GAVE in the medium term after treatment. EBL may be useful as a treatment for GAVE.
Disclosure
All authors disclosed no financial relationships relevant to this publication.
