Efficacy of Argon Plasma Coagulation for Bleeding Gastroduodenal Ulcers

Background: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) can achieve an effective coagulation of large areas with a relatively shallow but well‐controlled and uniform coagulation depth. There are only a few reports of APC therapy applied to bleeding peptic ulcers, especially ulcers with exposed vessels. Methods: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of APC as a means of achieving endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers. Thirty‐nine patients having these ulcers were treated with APC. Results: The success rates for initial hemostasis and complete hemostasis with APC are 87% and 97.4%, respectively. These results are almost equal to those of injection therapy and hemoclip. Six cases that re‐bled after other hemostatic procedures obtained complete hemostasis finally with APC. In one ineffective case of APC, complete endoscopic hemostasis was achieved with hemoclip. Conclusion: Argon plasma coagulation therapy is an effective therapeutic alternative in endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding peptic ulcers.