Bacteremia and sepsis after radiofrequency ablation of gastric antral vascular ectasia

摘要

We read with interest the case series of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for gastric antral ascular ectasia (GAVE). We have used this technique with excellent results. We recently encountered a case of bacteremia after RFA for GAVE. This adverse event has not been reported previously. A 67-year-old woman with Child's A cirrhosis had recurrent episodes of bleeding caused by GAVE not responding to treatments with argon plasma coagulation. Three previous RFA treatments were done with a continued need for transfusion. A fourth RFA was done with a Halo90 catheter (Covidien, Boston, MA). Three pulses were applied to each site in the antrum at 12 J/cm~2, and a total of 50 pulses were completed.