Angiodysplasia of the colon in patients with hemostatic defects: risk of secondary hemorrhage after electrocoagulation treatment.

Angiodysplasia of the colon is a relatively common cause of blood loss in the elderly. Electrocoagulation through a colonoscope is a common mode of treatment for this condition. Three patients are presented who had associated hemostatic defects and electrocoagulation resulted in life threatening secondary hemorrhage. In two of these patients a right hemicolectomy was performed. On the basis of these findings we suggest that patients with angiodysplasia and associated hemostatic disorders have a greatly increased risk of secondary hemorrhage following electrocoagulation treatment. These patients should be followed closely for two-three weeks following this treatment.