A practical alternative for salvage therapy in Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Ankaferd Blood Stopper

Upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding is a medical problem that is encountered in the clinic quite often. Endoscopic procedures still constitute the basis of the treatment in gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemoclips, argon plasma coagulation, sclerotherapy, heater probe, and hemosprays accompanied by endoscopy are used alone or in combination. In this study, we shared our experience of using the drug called Ankaferd blood stopper, which is indicated for use in many forms of bleeding, in 64 patients who applied to our clinic with upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding between January 2019 and April 2020.

Endoscopic treatment of gastric and duodenal angiodysplasias by elastic rings ligation

Introduction. The most frequently applied methods of endoscopic treatment of angiodysplasias, such as argon plasma coagulation, multipolar coagulation and heater probe, proved to be effective with certain shortcomings and the possibility of complications. There are very scarce data in the literature about the treatment of angiodysplasias with endoscopic ligature. Objective. The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy and safety of endoscopic treatment of gastric and duodenal angiodysplasias by ligation with elastic rings. Methods. In 12 patients (10 male and 2 female, mean age 65.9 years) the endoscopic ligation of gastric and duodenal angiodysplasias was applied. Eight patients (66.6%) had solitary angiodysplasias in the stomach, two patients (16.6%) had solitary angiodysplasias in the descending part of the duodenum and two patients (16.6%) had multiple angiodysplasias in the stomach and duodenum. Two patients (16.6%) had active bleeding from angiodysplasias, while 10 patients (83.3%) had recent bleeding. We used the Cook Endoscopy system with 4 or 6 elastic rings for endoscopic ligation of angiodysplasias. Patients were under follow-up after 2-3 days, 30 days and then every 6 months following the endoscopic ligation of angiodysplasias. Results. Active bleeding from angiodysplasias was stopped in two patients (100%) by endoscopic ligation with elastic rings. The average number of applied ligation sessions in our 12 patients was 1.6, with an average of 1.8 ligatures per session. There were no complications after ligation of angiodysplasias. Recurrence of bleeding occurred in one patient (8.3%) with multiple gastric and duodenal angiodysplasias. The average period of follow-up of patients was 22.8?17.6 months. Conclusion. Endoscopic ligation with elastic rings can be effective and safe for treatment especially of solitary gastric and duodenal angiodysplasias.

Recurrent lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia in the rectum: endoscopic treatment with heater probe

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to vascular abnormalities is commonly found in the elderly and on the right side of the colon. Such lesions are still difficult to diagnose and manage. We report a case with recurrent and massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia at an unusual age and localization, which was diagnosed and treated endoscopically.