Gastroenterology

Question 1

Angiodysplasia presents as cherry red spots on the lining of the intestinal mucosa and can cause occult GI bleeding. Angiodysplasia is more common in these medical conditions…

Answer 1

Only a small percentage of angiodysplasias bleed; however, bleeding rates are higher with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), aortic stenosis, and von Willebrand disease (vWD) as these conditions most likely cause a bleeding diathesis that leads to more frequent GI bleeding from malformed vessels. Uremia associated with ESRD causes platelet dysfunction, and both aortic stenosis (which leads to acquired vWD due to mechanical disruption during valvular flow) and hereditary vWD cause decreased levels of vW factor, which is required for platelet aggregation.