Gastric antral vascular ectasia

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia secondary to gastrointestinal bleeding is very common in the elderly. Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome, also known as watermelon stomach is an uncommon but significant cause of acute or chronic gastrointestinal blood loss in the elderly. It is characterised endoscopically by "watermelon stripes." It is more common in females than males, and manifests mostly as iron deficiency anaemia due to the gradual blood loss. Pathogenesis is unknown though several humoral factors have been proposed. Diagnosis is based on the clinical history and endoscopic appearance and histological changes. We describe elderly patient who presented with haematemesis and iron deficiency anaemia and was diagnosed to have GAVE and was treated successfully with endoscopic band ligation. © JAPI.