title: Tailored treatment of intestinal angiodysplasia in elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract is an uncommon, but not rare, cause of bleeding and severe anemia in elderly. Different treatments exist for this kind of pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this work was to study 40 patients treated for intestinal angiodysplasia with two different kind of endoscopic treatments: argon plasma coagulation (APC) and bipolar electrocoagulation (BEC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age of patients was similar in both groups (76,2 ± 10.8 years vs 74,8 ± 8,7 years, P = 0,005). Angiodysplasia treated were located in small bowel, right colon, left colon, transverse colon and cecum. We analysed number of treatment, recurrence, hospital discharge, needs of blood transfusions before and after endoscopic treatment. Number of treatment was the same in both groups (1,2 ± 0,2 vs 1,1 ± 0,1, P < 0,001). We had more recurrence in patients treated with BEC (4/20 vs 2/20, P < 0,001). Hospital discharge was comparable in both groups (5,3 ± 3,1 days vs 5,4 ± 2,8 years, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of angiodysplasia in elderly is not easy. Different kinds of treatment could be adopted. APC and BEC are both safe and effective. The choice of a treatment should consider several factors: age, comorbidity, source of bleeding. In conclusion we think that treatment of bleeding for angiodysplasia in elder population should be a tailored treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy ; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro. Catanzaro, Italy .; Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL). International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology. Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Compagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro. Catanzaro, Italy ; Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL). International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology. Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sivero
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quarto
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vigliotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Ermenegildo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Furino
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milone
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" Via S. Pansini,5 - 80131 Napoli, Italy . Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro. Catanzaro, Italy ; Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL). International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology. Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amato
keywords: Angiodysplasia; Argon plasma coagulation; Bleeding; Elderly; Tailored