Angiodysplasia of the Colon in Patients with Hemostatic Defects: Risk of Secondary Hemorrhage After Electrocoagulation Treatment

Abstract

Angiodysplasia of the colon is a relatively common cause of blood loss in the elderly. Electrocoagulation through a colonscope is a common mode of treat ment for this condition. Three patients are presented who had associated hemo static defects and electrocoagulation resulted in life threatening secondary hemorrhage. In two of these patients a right hemicolectomy was performed. On the basis of these findings we suggest that patients with angiodysplasia and asso ciated hemostatic disorders have a greatly increased risk of secondary hemor rhage following electrocoagulation treatment. These patients should be followed closely for two-three weeks following this treatment.