Lijecnicki vjesnik 2023;145(1-2)
Refractory bleedings from multiple intestinal angiodysplasias successfully treated with thalidomide
Eva Čubrić, Matilda Kinkela, Anamarija Stipaničev, Ivana Skorić, Iris Kušpilić Papak, Ivan Krečak
Abstract
Dear Mr. Editor, Recurrent bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract caused by angiodysplasias is the main cause of obscure bleeding and sideropenic anemia in elderly patients. ( 1, 2 ) Angiodysplasias are the most common vascular malformations of the gastrointestinal system, and are small, tortuous blood vessels located in the mucosa or submucosa of the intestine. Furthermore, the quality of life of patients with bleeding angiodysplasias can be significantly impaired by repeated bleeding, symptomatic anemia and frequent endoscopic interventions.