Thalidomide in angiodysplasia-related bleeding.
Gastrointestinal haemorrhage from angiodysplastic lesions is not only difficult to identify, but often refractory to endoscopic intervention. Patients often require substantial transfusion support. Thalidomide has emerged as a promising medical strategy in angiodysplasia-related bleeding. We present our experience and report the findings from a review of the literature. Despite its side-effect profile, thalidomide remains the therapeutic modality with the best evidence in this difficult clinical scenario.
Department of Haematology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
J P
JP
Boey
Department of Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
U
U
Hahn
Department of Haematology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
S
S
Sagheer
Department of Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.|Department of Haematology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
S J
SJ
McRae
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D013792:Thalidomide
Von Willebrand disease; angiodysplasia; gastrointestinal haemorrhage; thalidomide