ARGON PLASMA COAGULATION FOR GI BLEED

Argon Plasma Coagulation or APC is a procedure used to control bleeding initiating from the lesions of gastrointestinal tract.

An effective approach to manage the tumor, if surgery is not a feasible option. Typically, it is quite challenging to manage gastrointestinal bleeding in case of cancer patients.
Thus, APC provides a superior approach where endoscopic hemostasis enables management of bleeding owing to non-neoplastic reason such as gastric antral vascular ectasia, radiation proctitis, and arterio-venous malformation.

Indications

• Angiodysplasias
• Colonic Polyps after Polypectomy
• Gastric antral vascular ectasia
• Radiation proctitis
• Esophageal Cancer

Technique

• An APC probe is used. The probe allows exchange of high frequency alternating current to the target site by using argon gas in a non-contact mode.
• Tissue desiccation occurs at the contact interface of the target site.
• Coagulation of bleeding areas is managed through high-frequency electric current that exits a flow of gases
• It is a safe procedure due to non-contact nature
• The best approach is to use a combination of Endoscopic banding ligation and argon plasma coagulation.

Challenges

Cancer patients who are susceptible to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract have a higher risk for GIT haemorrhage. There is a high risk of severe bleeding in patients with metastatic tumors. APC is an effective technique that provides optimal results by a non-invasive approach.

In a brush like stroke, APC controls the oozing tissue.

Conclusion

APC is a safe, simple and effective method that can be used to manage GIT bleeding from the tumors. It promotes fast haemostasis and has the potential to control tumor-related gastrointestinal bleeding.