ABSTRACT • Background: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleed and is associated with severe underlying chronic illness. Two major types of GAVE had been described based on endoscopic appearance: the classic “watermelon” secondary to autoimmune disease and the diffuse antral angioma related to liver cirrhosis. Case presentation : We report two cases of gastric antral vascular ectasia secondary to systemic disease (Sjogren’s and scleroderma), presented for multiple episodes of severe anemia, responding very well after combination of endoscopic treatment (band ligation and argon plasma coagulation (APC)) Discussion : The clinical manifestation of GAVE ranges from asymptomatic anemia to severe acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis is based on endoscopic appearance. Biopsies of the antral lesion show microvascular thrombi, vascular ectasia and fibrohyalinosis. Treatment can be divided into conservative, endoscopic and surgical therapy. The currently embraced endoscopic treatment modality for GAVE is APC, but in extensive deep lesions or refractory cases, endoscopic band ligation can be used.

Keywords : GAVE; endoscopic treatment; band ligation; plasma argon