GAVE watermelon stomach As Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia скачать в хорошем качестве

GAVE watermelon stomach As Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia

Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE)—commonly known as “watermelon stomach”—is a rare but important cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). It gets its nickname from the endoscopic appearance of the stomach lining, which shows red, longitudinal stripes resembling the rind of a watermelon. 🩸 How GAVE Causes Bleeding GAVE is characterized by dilated and fragile blood vessels in the antrum (lower part) of the stomach. These vessels can rupture, leading to: Chronic blood loss, often resulting in iron-deficiency anemia Occult bleeding (not visible to the naked eye) Overt bleeding, such as hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (black, tarry stools)2 🧠 Who’s at Risk? GAVE is most commonly seen in: Elderly women People with autoimmune diseases (e.g., systemic sclerosis) Those with liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure2 🔬 Diagnosis Endoscopy is the gold standard: it reveals the classic “watermelon” pattern. Biopsy may be done to rule out other causes of bleeding or vascular lesions. 💉 Treatment Options Endoscopic therapy: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the most common and effective treatment to cauterize bleeding vessels. Medications: Hormonal therapy (e.g., estrogen-progesterone), corticosteroids, or tranexamic acid may be used in select cases. Surgery: Rarely needed, but antrectomy (removal of the antrum) may be considered in refractory cases #Gastrointestinal