Use of Endovascular Coiling to Stop Gastric Ulcer Bleeding in a Patient With Extensive Risk Factors

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common condition that can lead to significant gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic and therapeutic tool for identifying and managing bleeding ulcers.
• However, some patients present with bleeding ulcers that are not amenable to endoscopic intervention.

Observation:

• This case report details a 57-year-old female experiencing melena due to a gastric ulcer.
• The gastric ulcer was refractory to standard endoscopic treatments.
• This necessitated alternative management strategies.

Findings:

• Endovascular coiling, a minimally invasive embolization technique, was employed to manage the acute gastrointestinal bleeding.
• The procedure successfully targeted and embolized the vessel supplying the gastric ulcer.
• This highlights the efficacy of endovascular methods when endoscopy fails.

Implications:

• Endovascular coiling offers a viable and effective alternative for managing severe peptic ulcer bleeding in patients who fail endoscopic therapy.
• This approach can prevent life-threatening hemorrhage and reduce the need for surgical intervention.
• Further investigation into various embolization techniques is warranted to optimize outcomes in managing ulcer bleeds.