Endoscopic coagulation of gastric vascular antral ectasia with argon plasma

Background: Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia or Watermelon stomach is a rare cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, often presenting as a chronic iron deficiency anemia. This conditions can be associated with some other d iseases such as cirrhosis, autoimmune diseases and others. We report two pa tients treated with Argon Plasma Coagulation, a 68 years old male with an e thanol related cirrhosis and a 72 years old female with an idiopathic Gastr ic Antral Vascular Ectasia. The characteristic endoscopic features were mis taken for many years as gastritis. Both patients presented with severe anem ia requiring multiple transfusions as treatment. Due to the poor operative risk, both patients were treated with Argon Plasma Coagulation with good re sults (Rev Med Chile 2001; 129: 547-51).