Endoscopic Treatment for Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: Current Options

Abstract

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a capillary-type vascular malformation located primarily in the gastric antrum. Patients can present with iron-deficiency anemia, overt gastrointestinal bleeding, or both. Diagnosis and characterization is made at endoscopic examination, and the preferred management of patients with GAVE is endoscopic therapy. Herein, we present a review of the evidence about the efficacy, complications, and outcomes of the most frequently used endoscopic therapies for GAVE.

Keywords: Endoscopy; Gastric antral vascular ectasia; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Stomach.

Figures

Fig. 1

Gastric antral vascular ectasia. Stripe type (left) and diffuse type (right).

Fig. 2

Gastric antral vascular ectasia with active bleeding at the endoscopic examination (left) and after treatment with endoscopic band ligation (right).