An overview of angiodysplasia: management and patient prospects

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias (GIADs) have a wide variety of presentations, which can be significant and debilitating in a subset of patients. Endoscopic ablation is currently the most effective treatment for GIADs, however re-bleeding rates are high. Several medical have been used for GIADs and reported in the literature, however these medications have significant side effect profiles and randomized controlled trials are lacking. A relatively poor understanding of the pathophysiology of GIAD formation has limited the development of more effective treatments and improved diagnostic and prognostic markers for GIAD. However, recent advances in research in the area of angiogenesis have identified a potential role for certain angiogenic factors including Angiopoeitin 1 and 2, in the pathophysiology of GIAD.

Areas covered: We performed an extensive pubmed search of all articles mentioning GIAD and summarized our findings focussing on patient management and prospects. We summarize the available literature regarding the medical, endoscopic, and radiological management of GIAD and the value of clinical prognostic factors.

Expert commentary: Although the area of angiogenesis is a novel area of research in GIAD, it represents an exciting avenue for development with the potential to improve diagnostic and prognostic tools to improve patient outcome.

KEYWORDS:

• Angiodysplasia
• anemia
• angiogenesis
• bleeding
• small intestine

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.