Open AccessRadiofrequency ablation for patients with refractory symptomatic anaemia secondary to gastric antral vascular ectasia
Author(s) -
Magee Cormac,
Lipman Gideon,
Alzoubaidi Durayd,
Everson Martin,
Sweis Rami,
Banks Matthew,
Graham David,
Gordon Charles,
Lovat Laurence,
Murray Charles,
Haidry Rehan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640618814659
Subject(s) - medicine , gastric antral vascular ectasia , argon plasma coagulation , radiofrequency ablation , iron deficiency , surgery , gastrointestinal bleeding , refractory (planetary science) , prospective cohort study , confidence interval , gastroenterology , endoscopy , anemia , ablation , astrobiology , physics
Background Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, often causing iron deficiency anaemia. Previous studies have looked at the management of this with argon plasma coagulation, laser therapy and endoscopic band ligation. Methods This was a single‐centre prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with GAVE with persistent anaemia refractory to at least one session of first‐line endoscopic therapy. Patients were treated with a through‐the‐scope (TTS) radiofrequency catheter at two endoscopic sessions six weeks apart. The primary outcome was change in haemoglobin at six months posttreatment. The secondary outcomes were reduction in blood or iron requirements, endoscopic surface area regression and complications. Results Twenty patients were treated. The mean change in haemoglobin at six months was +12.6 g/l (95% confidence interval 11.7–24.3 g/l), paired t test p < 0.001. At six months, three of 14 individuals who had required blood transfusions had ongoing blood transfusions and five of 17 who had required iron had ongoing iron needs. Surface area regression was scored as 74% ± 25% but no correlation was seen between this and other outcomes. Three of 20 patients experienced pain which was managed with oral analgesia. Of the 14 patients who had reached 12‐month follow‐up, three required retreatment (21%). Discussion This small study suggests that RFA is a safe and effective treatment for GAVE. Our study uses the TTS catheter compared to other studies, and demonstrates prolonged improvement in haemoglobin and reduction in blood and iron requirements with a novel assessment of surface area regression.