title: Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT) has been used for several benign vascular diseases. The aim of this pilot study was to demonstrate the potential benefits of VPDT in the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from patients with GAVE (n=5) who underwent endoscopic V-PDT were analyzed retrospectively. Pre- and post-V-PDT clinical and endoscopic features, hemoglobin levels, and transfusion requirement were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The five GAVE patients received one to four sessions of V-PDT. The hemoglobin levels of all five patients increased steadily following V-PDT. Within 6-48months of follow-up, gastrointestinal bleeding and melena disappeared in all five patients and none of the patients needed a transfusion. Endoscopy examinations showed that the dilated vessels had disappeared without scar formation. No significant side effects or adverse reactions were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study indicates the good selectivity, safety, and efficacy of V-PDT in the treatment of patients with GAVE. Larger prospective studies are needed to further confirm the feasibility of using V-PDT to treat patients with GAVE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Haixia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China. Electronic address: maoyp301@126.com.
authors.forename: Yongping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Jiaying
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Naiyang
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Qingsen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Yunsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Enqiang
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Linghu
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, China. Electronic address: guyinglaser@sina.com.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020252:Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Chronic GI bleeding; Ectasia; Gastric antral vascular; Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy