Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE)

Question 1

What is gastric antral vascular ectasia, or GAVE?

Answer 1

vascular lesion of gastric antrum, characterised by tortuous dilated blood vessels radiating proximally from pylorus

Question 2

What is another name for GAVE?

Answer 2

watermelon stomach - due to tortuous blood vessels radiating in watermelon pattern

Question 3

In which patient group is GAVE most commonly seen?

Answer 3

middle-aged to elderly women

Question 4

What are 2 associations of GAVE?

Answer 4

1. Autoimmune disease
2. Portal hypertension

Question 5

What are 2 types of autoimmune disease that GAVE may exist in association with?

Answer 5

1. Sjögren’s syndrome
2. Atrophic gastritis

Question 6

What are 3 histological findings in GAVE?

Answer 6

1. Focal capillary thrombosis
2. Dilated submucosal venous channels
3. Fibromuscular hyperplasia of the muscularis mucosa

Question 7

How is a diagnosis of GAVE made?

Answer 7

on endoscopic appearance

Question 8

What are 2 types of presentation of GAVE?

Answer 8

1. Acute upper GI bleeding
2. Chronic iron-deficiency anaemia

Question 9

What are 2 aspects of therapy for GAVE?

Answer 9

1. Iron therapy and transfusions - may be required
2. Endoscopic therapy

Question 10

What are 3 types of endoscopic therapy which can be used to treat GAVE?

Answer 10

1. Laser photocoagulation
2. Argon plasma coagulation
3. Heater-probe therapy

Question 11

Is GAVE a recommended indication for TIPSS?

Answer 11

no