An unusual cause of upper GI bleeding: gastric antral vascular ectasia

Abstract

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is characterized by red patches or spots in either a diffuse or linear array in the antrum of the stomach. This syndrome is commonly referred to as watermelon stomach because of its typical endoscopic appearance. Patients with GAVE frequently have occult bleeding requiring continual transfusions. It is important to distinguish the differences while treating GAVE in cirrhotics and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) since the treatment options are vastly different.