Argon plasma coagulation

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Argon plasma coagulation administered via probe through the colonoscope at an angiodysplasia in the colon. The patient had multiple colonic angiodysplasiae in the setting of aortic stenosis.

Argon plasma coagulation or APC is a medical endoscopic procedure used primarily to control bleeding from certain lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. It is administered during esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy.

APC involves the use of a jet of argon gas that is directed through a probe passed through the endoscope. As argon is a noble gas, it conducts electricity. The probe is placed at some distance from the bleeding lesion, and an electric current is passed through the probe. It is conducted through the jet of gas, resulting in coagulation of the bleeding lesion on other end of the jet. As no physical contact is made with the lesion, the procedure is safe, and can be used to treat bleeding in parts of the gastrointestinal tract with thin walls, such as the cecum. The depth of coagulation is usually only a few millimetres.

APC is used to treat the following conditions:

• angiodysplasiae, anywhere in the GI tract
• gastric antral vascular ectasia, or watermelon stomach
• colonic polyps, after polypectomy
• radiation proctitis
• esophageal cancer

[edit] See also

• electrocautery

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