title: 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 colonoscope is a common mode of treatment for this condition. Three patients are presented who had associated hemostatic 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 associated hemostatic disorders have a greatly increased risk of secondary hemorrhage following electrocoagulation treatment. These patients should be followed closely for two-three weeks following this treatment.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000002:abnormalities*; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged