Vascular Ectasia (angiodysplasia)

Your Path

  • Vascular Ectasia (angiodysplasia)

Sites

  • Anywhere in GI tract, in particular small bowel and colon

Etiology

  • Associated w/RFs below
  • Thin walled, dilated blood vessels that easily bleed
  • Precise pathophys that leads to development unclear

Risk Factors

  • Age > 60
  • Esrd
  • Aortic stenosis
  • Von Willebrand's dz
  • Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), Aortic stenosis--> associated with acquired von Willebrand's dz

Symptoms

  • Painless
  • Bleeding is intermittent
  • Not always identifiable on endoscopy