Transcatheter therapy of gastrointestinal arterial bleeding.

Transcatheter therapy for arteriocapillary gastrointestinal bleeding is often an effective form of treatment. The choice of transcatheter therapy (ie, vasoconstrictor or occlusive) often is dependent on the etiology and location of bleeding. Vasopressin is a generally safe form of treatment which is often successful in treating bleeding secondary to gastritis, Mallory-Weiss mucosal tears, and diverticular disease. It is less effective in treating bleeding peptic ulcers, neoplastic bleeding, or bleeding when clotting abnormalities exist. Occlusive therapy is an effective alternate form of therapy in selected circumstances. Ischemic complications from vasoconstrictor and embolic therapy may occur and require appropriate caution and discretion with their use.